from Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

Pierre has friends and enemies in the game. That is normal when you've been navigating the NHL's shark-infested waters as long as he has. He knows everybody. He's a legendary schmoozer.

Do I think he's the right person to replace Ray Shero as Penguins general manager?

Wow. That is a question I never dreamed we'd be pondering. Pierre is the talk of the town in the wake of his second interview with Penguins brass, including co-owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux, this past weekend.

As early as Tuesday, the Penguins could name a GM.

What if it's Pierre?

I am of two minds. One says, “Bad idea, PR nightmare.” The other says, “Why not?”

Perhaps unfairly, I tend to view Pierre the way I viewed Russ Grimm when he was after the Steelers coaching job. Both seem more like the guy who buys you a beer and talks about the organization rather than the guy actually leading it.

Pierre is a media guy. Has been for a long time. He's one of us!

He also has a pleasantly quirky personality that could lead one to believe he is more suited for court jester than king.

more