PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – What did we learn after finally hearing from the Pens owners, the Fenway Sports Group? Here is the most of what they said Friday.
Co-Head of Fenway Sports Management and Pittsburgh Penguins Alternate Governor Dave Beeston and Penguins’ President of Business Operations Kevin Acklin answered questions for about 12 minutes on Friday. The first time we’ve heard from ownership in a live setting since they took over.
Starting with the recent move, Beeston said it was a tough day to have to fire Director of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, GM Ron Hextall and Assistant GM Chris Pryor. He wanted to make it clear they aren’t the scapegoats.
“While the decision was made to part ways with Brian, Ron and Chris, the responsibility for the results does not fall solely on them,” Beeston said. “John Henry, Tom Werner and myself, Mike Sullivan, all of our players and staff are responsible for how the season ended. We are a team, our successes and failures come as a team.”
Winning again
Beeston would not commit to the Pens being a Stanley Cup contender next year saying only ‘our goal is to compete for the Stanley Cup every year’. He said they believe in this core group of players. While not answering directly, he indirectly said about whether or not the primary goal was to win now or try to make sure they can win three or four years.
“I think the commitment that was made last summer, re-signing our key players that were part of this core, Geno and Kris, spoke to the commitment and where our focus is,” Beeston said. “We think this is a team that is completely capable of competing for Stanley Cups moving forward.”
So they are in win now mode, but not committing to being ready next year, rather it’s their goal.
Mike Sullivan’s future
Letting the three highest figures in the front office go, it appears they are set to move forward with head coach Mike Sullivan. Would Fenway Sports Group commit to Sullivan remaining the coach when the new front office is in place?
“We think Mike Sullivan is one of the best coaches in the NHL, he was extended last season,” Beeston said. “Once we bring in a new hockey operations leader, he or she, will be responsible for evaluating a coaching staff but we Mike is terrific and his whole staff is terrific.”
New GM
No details as to what they are looking for in the next general manager. Beeston said it’s a clean slate as to what they want in a leader of their hockey operations. They have not yet developed a list, but he promises it will be a ‘robust process’.
He said it’s their first full season of being in control of the franchise and they are still learning. Beeston said they are trying to build a hockey operations machine, but doesn’t know how the titles will look going forward-meaning if they will have a President, Director of Hockey Ops or how yet it will be structured.
When they might have a GM in place? ‘As soon as possible without rushing it’. They will continue to plan for the draft and free agency with the remaining retained staff as they search for a general manager.
Related
Sidney Crosby
Will the Pens captain and second greatest player in team history have a role in these decisions? With his contract expiring in two years, what is Fenway Sports Group’s commitment to make sure he only plays for the Penguins?
“It’s very important that Sidney Crosby never plays a game in another uniform other than the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Beeston said. “I can’t speak to any other role someone may have moving forward.”
Where is Mario?
Beeston said Mario Lemieux has been living and breathing being a Pittsburgh Penguin for 35 of years and he was very much entitled to a year where he wasn’t around much. He’s always welcome around the team and Beeston confirmed Lemieux still owns a small piece of the franchise.
Acklin said he talked to Lemieux Friday morning after the news broke of the firings. He also said Mario ‘earned some time on the golf course’ and still cares about the team.
“Mario is responsible for this franchise being in Pittsburgh,” Beeston said. “We know that, even in Boston we know he’s responsible for this franchise being in Pittsburgh.”
Related
Business is good
Acklin said as a business, the team is as strong as they’ve ever been, crediting the fan support for making it that way. He called it a ‘very successful year’.
“Our sole goal is to generate the resources to provide hockey operations with what it needs to win,” Acklin said. “This ownership group is intensely involved.”