Pens-Ducks Fallout; Hoffman group continues strong push to lure Mario into decision making role

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A Chris Kreider power play goal, his second of the night sunk with 1:27 remaining in the third sunk the Penguins Tuesday Night in a 4-3 loss at the Honda Center. We’re just four games and although Dan Muse came in with coaching the penalty kill up at previous spots as a key point on his resume, you still have to wonder if this is a thing to come. This is not a blueline built to defend the net front and slot area.

Parker Wotherspoon’s delay of game penalty with 1:33 remaining will be a blooper reel all season.

— Disappointing night for the Penguins not to get at least a point when you led 2-0 early on and the top two lines were going full steam. The Crosby and Malkin lines were each over 75% in driving possession and scoring chance monsters, combining for 15 scoring chances. You have to come out on top in these types of games.

— Connor Clifton and Matt Dumba each made their season debuts as Caleb Jones and Harrison Brunicke were healthy scratches. Both veterans are frustrated by the demotions to start the season and indications are the rep for Dumba in particular has To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! Muse says scratching Brunicke was part of the plan. “There’s a plan in place for them that we’re going with and the purpose for this plan is to ensure that they continue to get stronger, they continue to grow,” Muse said. Indications are Ben Kindel is also a candidate to a sit a game on this trip.

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Hoffman Group continues to recruit Super Mario

A pending sale to the Hoffman family remains on track before the New Year and the most intriguing aspect of the sale continues to be how big of a role Mario Lemieux potentially takes on. As reported here last month, the Hoffman group has been heavily recruiting Lemieux to play a prominent role with the franchise moving forward and more than just the Hoffman family getting their ducks in a row with minority investors and some members of the Lemieux Group coming on board. Lemieux popping in here and there thus far since training camp hasn’t just been a happy accident. Buzz in league circles continues to be the Hoffman family has proposed a President of Hockey To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! having a major voice To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! Before the Kyle Dubas fan club goes nuts, there are no indications Dubas’s job security is in question when the ownership change officially happens, but things are trending where it has a chance to start To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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