Penguins/NHL
Shero hints at next move being another forward?
Here are some tidbits from Ray Shero’s Media Session
— Shero says he is comfortable with Alexei Kovalev’s attitude: “Hope short term he’s energized, ” Shero said.
Kovalev’s character was a major concern from some inside the organization, in regards to how he would fit in the Penguins locker room which is a very close group.
Shero said that Mario Lemieux was among those to go to bat for bringing Kovalev on-board.
— Shero said that Kovalev will arrive in Carolina tonight and meet with his teammates.
— In acquiring Kovalev, Shero is not thinking beyond this season, he indicated. Shero said that the team will use Kovalev along the right wall and up high on the power play.
The power play is where scouts see Kovalev becoming an asset for Pittsburgh.
— Shero compared the deal to team acquiring Bill Guerin few seasons ago, in that they acquired him {guerin} when he wasn’t playing well and hoped they’d start to play better. He said that taking on Kovalev’s salary is a commitment.
— Brooks Orpik’s injury sounds like a 5 week injury. Shero said that Paul Martin will return after the weekend.
— Shero sounded comfortable moving forward with his group of defenseman, even with Orpik being sidelined. The imminent return of Martin could be a factor.
— Shero says there is still cap room and didn’t rule out making another move. He hinted towards the next move being another forward as he said adding a top-6 defenseman is not a “pressing urgency”.
— He didn’t rule out adding another defenseman but adding another forward remains a viable option and considered a more likely option at this point.
— Information provided by Will DePaoli and Tim Benz–
