The new owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday made a pledge to not be absentee owners, as the Fenway Sports Group was, and they promised to give Kyle Dubas whatever he needs to make the Penguins contenders again.
Team governor Geoff Hoffman, his father David and brother Greg held an introductory news conference and got off on the right foot, embracing the Penguins tradition and predicting a long, fruitful relationship with Pittsburgh.
Geoff Hoffman said the Penguins’ home will always be in Pittsburgh.
Hoffman said he wants franchise icon Mario Lemieux back in the organization, in whatever role Mario wants to play.
Hoffman hopes to watch Sidney Crosby wear a Penguins jersey for a long time to come.
The NHL Draft begins tonight in Buffalo. The Penguins have five picks in the draft, starting with the 22nd overall selection tonight.
Yesterday, president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas made another trade for a reclamation project. 2020 Washington number one draft choice Hendrix Lapierre comes to Pittsburgh in exchange for the Pens’ third-round draft pick in 2027 and a fourth-round draft pick in 2028
Lapierre is a forward who will be a restricted free agent when free agency opens next Wednesday. He had four goals and twelve assists in 74 games last season, averaging 8:50 of ice time per game.
He reunites with Penguins assistant coach Todd Nelson, who coached him for two Calder Cup-championship seasons with the Hershey Bears, in 2023 and ’24.
NHL
The Maple Leafs own the top-overall selection in the draft and are expected to take Penn State winger Gavin McKenna. The Sharks are in the second slot, followed by the Canucks, Sabres and Rangers.
