Iginla Reactions: Bylsma not “inclined” to break up the Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis unit

“There’s only one Jarome Iginla,” GM Ray Shero said. “He’s a future Hall of Famer.”

The reactions from ownership to the players is excitement throughout the organization, following the acquisition of Jarome Iginla.

Penguins GM Ray Shero praised ownership’s commitment. “We all talk about cap space but this is actual cash,” Shero said of ownership.

Shero talked about the different options the coaching staff now has. “We have different players that can play different roles,” Shero said. “It doesn’t matter who you play with, where you play, every player is here for a reason and that’s to help us win. “Dan has other options now. That’s good for a coach to have. My conversation with Jarome Iginla is he’s here to help us win.”

Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma played coy about what line Jarome Iginla will end up on but said he’s “not inclined” to break up the Penguins top line of Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis, calling them the best line in hockey.

Bylsma mentioned James Neal as a player who is comfortable playing left and right wing, while also mentioning Matt Cooke and Pascal Dupuis as other guys who are comfortable playing the left and right side. Bylsma said Chris Kunitz and Brenden Morrow are not.

Bylsma is not sure if Iginla is comfortable playing the left side as he has yet to speak of him but the buzz is Iginla getting the first crack on the second line with Malkin and Neal.

When Iginla makes his Penguins debut remains to be seen as Shero said it might take a few days for his immigration process to be resolved. Until Iginla’s immigration issues are resolved, he does not count against the 23 man roster.

Neither Shero nor Bylsma expressed any concerns about locker room chemistry, citing Morrow and Iginla who have no trade clauses as dictating that they wanted to come here because they want to win. Pascal Dupuis said today there are “no egos” in the room.

Shero did admit he felt a couple times Iginla wasn’t going to happen. “I {thought} there was a couple times where we weren’t getting him,” Shero said. “Told my group didn’t think this was happening. I never asked Jay Feaster about other teams involved, it’s there player, they control the process. It kept coming around and Jay called back and said would you do this?”

Shero had a funny moment saying he called his kids to tell them he acquired Jarome Iginla and his kids said no you didn’t, believing reports that Iginla had been traded to Boston

Shero praised his scouts in bolstering the Penguins prospect system over the last couple seasons, indicating that being a reason he was willing to move his first round pick for Iginla.

“I said to our staff couple weeks ago, I’m certainly willing to trade our first round pick this year,” Shero said.

Shero talked of Kenny Agostino and Ben Hanowski being drafted years ago and the Penguins “turning these guys into assets”. Shero called the Penguins prospects pool the deepest “it’s ever been”, based on discussions he’s had with other GM’s.

“Credit to our scouting staff,”Shero said.

As for the added pressure. “We do have a month to come together,” Shero said. “Pressure is on but that’s the way it goes. We are where we are and I like the position we are in.” It will be a challenge for our group, plenty of good teams out there in the East, going to battle, try to put yourself in the best possible position.”

*Marc Andre Fleury confirmed that he has passed a concussion test. Fleury is officially a game time decision. If Fleury doesn’t get clearence to backup Vokoun, Jeff Zatkoff figures to get called up.

*Evgeni Malkin is likely to return to the lineup tonight. Malkin called himself a game time decision and the team is also officially calling him a game time decision but expectations are he will be playing.

*Dustin Jeffrey and Beau Bennett look to be scratches tonight.