Is Mario [Sidney] Calling the UFA SHOTS?

With all the postings on message boards and blogs throughout the internet, there is in implication that Lemieux (and indirectly, Sidney) is pulling the strings with alot of these UFA decisions.

Decisions on HOSSA:

• "My sources tell me Pittsburgh will have to increase their offer in the amount of years. There is pressure from ownership to increase the offer to 7.5 million per season." (TIOPS)


• "There has been pressure from ownership to increase the offer to 7yrs." (TIOPS)

Decisions on WHITNEY:

• "Source tell TIOPS Ray Shero is taking calls regarding Ryan Whitney and listening to offers but it appears ownership wants Whitney to stay put." [OK - which member(s) of ownership did Whitney give BJ(s) too; or maybe which one of the owner's daughters did he knock up?! JUST KIDDING -- I don't even know if any of owners have a daughter (and Lemieux's aren't old enough)!] (TIOPS)

Decisions on JAGR:

• According to a source Jagr's agent was approached by Shero as dictated by Lemieux. Mario may contact Jagr this morning. (TIOPS) [INTERESTING -- up to this point Mario has be referred to "ownership" --

GENERAL Discussion found on Letsgopens.com message board:

• DayWalker POSTS: I ask this question in light of the rumors circulating after the deadline deal to land Marian Hossa that Lemieux played a hand in that particular transaction, one that did mortgage the future for a potential rent-a-player. If a player like Jagr were to return and/or other players were signed with an eye towards winning this season or next (at a minimum), but at the cost of sacrificing the future (Staal? Whitney?), how much of that would be Lemieux's doing versus that of Ray Shero?


• KG RESPONDS: How much? A LOT


• DayWalker RESPONDS [to his own post]: Enough to make us wonder who the real GM is today?


• crzymike POSTS: When it comes to trying to secure Big Name talent, who better to evaluate what impact that type of player can have on a team? He knows star power, in situations such as these I'd be glad if Mario had SOME input. On lesser signings, not so much.


• Pens15 POSTS:I really hope he doesn't have too much. Ray needs to be able to pursue his plan without having Mario dictating or influencing him. If it's just approving money amounts that's one thing, but I think it's bad news if he's actually getting involved in hockey decisions. I love Mario and a player and owner but I'm not sold on him as GM or coach.


• longtimefan POSTS: He owns the team. He signs the checks. He has just as much pwer as any owner would. Which means he has the ability to overrule the GM in any and all cases. As it should be. For any owner.

If this is the case, let's hope that Lemeiux still has it in him to make Pens fans happy!

[UPDATE] If Lemieux was responsible for standing firm on not giving Ruutu his extra year, he definitely hasn't made me happy!!