Getty Images
Mario Lemieux was inauspiciously absent for almost all of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2022-23 season. Ownership doesn’t anticipate that to be the case transferring ahead.
Several days after the workforce’s 16-year playoff streak got here to an finish, and a day after parting methods with president Brian Burke, normal supervisor Ron Hextall and assistant normal supervisor Chris Pryor, Penguins various governor Dave Beeston was requested about Lemieux and his potential position with with the workforce transferring ahead. Lemieux was a Penguins majority proprietor earlier than his group offered possession of the workforce to Fenway Sports Group in December of 2021. He has maintained a minority possession.
“He is, after all, not solely welcome, however needed again each time he needs,” Beeston stated. “I anticipate that would be the case transferring ahead. Working with him and attending to know him by means of this course of has been a particular present for me. He is unimaginable.”
A monetary dispute was the rationale why Lemieux distanced himself from the workforce over the previous yr, in accordance with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A gaggle of Penguins minority house owners sued Lemieux and fellow former workforce co-owner Ron Burkle, accusing them of pushing the cope with Fenway Sports Group with out their enter. Lemieux and Burkle dealt with the legal professional charges (the swimsuit was settled) however figured that they’d get extra fairness with FSG. Neither aspect might come to an settlement, nevertheless.
Based on Beeston’s feedback, it seems that the 2 sides have mended fences, paving the way in which for the franchise’s most iconic determine to as soon as once more have a extra distinguished position with the membership. Lemieux, who as a participant led the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 1991-92, hoisted the cup three extra instances because the workforce’s co-owner in 2009, 2016 and in 2017.
Lemieux’s anticipated return will certainly come as welcomed information for Penguins followers who’re annoyed with the present state of the workforce. While the workforce’s getting older core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang performed at excessive ranges this previous season, the workforce’s lack of a supporting solid round them contributed mightily to Pittsburgh lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2005-06. Poor goaltending additionally contributed to what was a disappointing season for the Penguins, who’ve received only one playoff sequence since their 2017 Cup win.
