Hilary Is Comin' To Town

Those who have followed me here regularly know I'm a big fan of the foregoing actress/pop singer. 

Well, spit shine my shoes, because the Penguins are goin' dancin' with Hilary Duff.

While the Penguins have enough talent on their roster to fill the new CONSOL Energy Center quite capably, they added another shining star to the building today when they effectively put Ms. Duff in the venue personally at some point as a visitor to watch her new husband -- forward Mike Comrie -- suit up for the Pens after he signed a 1-year contract for the $500,000 league minium.

Comrie, 29, is a former 20 and 30 goal scorer who has played with 5 teams in his career, most recently the Edmonton Oilers, where he put up 13 goals in only 43 games last year. 

He missed most of the remainder of the season with a bout of mono.

Like so many players who seek green pastures in Pittsburgh, Comrie had his eye on the big prize in making his decision.

"I wanted to go to a great team and be a part of an organization like Pittsburgh and be able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Comrie said.

It seems that Comrie will have a chance to make a meaningful impact with the club, too, because sources indicate that Comrie will be given a chance on one of the top 2 lines in camp starting in two weeks.

Comrie's game is built around finesse, so he'll fit in well in that regard, even though he's not a big guy and doesn't necessarily skate like the wind.  But he has good hands, and isn't afraid to be a bit chippy out there when necessary. 

I actually was going to write a piece next week on a few current intriguing unrestricted free agents I felt the Penguins should consider bringing to training camp on an invitation basis.  Comrie was going to be one them. 

Marek Svatos, Brendan Morrison and Jay Pandolfo were the others.

In short, the Penguins are taking a chance on Comrie, but because they're doing so cheaper than a working girl on Liberty Avenue at 3 AM on a Saturday night, the risk is low, and that's good.

While question marks will surround Comrie until everyone has a chance to see how he performs on the ice in black and gold, the same can't be said for his spouse.

We know she gets the job done.

And that too, is good.

Very, very good.