Notebook Buzz
Lemieux takes behind the scenes role as owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Mario Lemieux in attendance today for the Penguins practice which was held at Mellon Arena and was seen talking to Michel Therrien following practice which caused quite a stir among the media. Mario by-passed any questions from the media but Therrien had this to say about his brief discussion with the Penguins owner. “We talk a lot with Mario. It’s not the first time. When you get a chance to have a person like this around you, you’re going to have to use him. It’s good advice”, Therrien said following practice.
Sources have confirmed that Mario was apart of an organizational meeting over the weekend that centered around what direction the team is going to take. Lemieux including CEO Ken Sawyer have been supporters of Michel Therrien. When the Penguins hired a GM following the departure of Craig Patrick, the incoming GM had to inherit Therrien as their coach. Due to that demand Ray Shero turned down the Penguins offer and was about to take the Boston Bruins opening but a change of heart brought Shero back to the bargaining table with the Penguins. The idea of working with Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is believed to be what made Shero turn down the Bruins.
A source tells me Sawyer and Lemieux are not ready to make a coaching change and still have confidence in Therrien. According to sources, Lemieux a strong advocate of trading for Marian Hossa last season, see’s what everyone else see’s. A flawed team that has little help on the wings for their two franchise centers. Money will not play a factor in the Penguins making a coaching change. If the time comes and a change is needed, Mario will sign off on one but right now from what I’m being told Sawyer and Lemieux don’t see a coaching change drastically changing the Penguins fortunes.
