Pondering the Pens: Managing Simon Despres

Simon Despres, Pittsburgh’s 2009 first-round pick, had a successful NHL debut last night against Washington. Despres assisted on Chris Kunitz’s game-winning goal and looked confident after a few early mishaps.

Penguins ownership group shows commitment to Stanley Cup vision

If there was ever a year for Lemieux and Burkle to put up the white flag and live to see another day, it would be this year. No one would blame them. Fans surely wouldn’t revolt. But that’s not what they did, and yesterday Shero seemed energized by the commitment from ownership that allowed him to take a risk on Kovalev.