Keeping The Foundation In Place

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that General Manager Ray Shero has signed a 5-year contract extension.

Shero's original deal -- signed prior to the 2006/07 season -- also was a five-year contract, and was up after this season.   Now, he has committed to stay through the 2015/16 season.

I think most people who follow the organization would tell you that Shero was going to get this extension, and is well-deserving of it.  I'm no different.

Shero has been an immense asset to the organization since he was first hired.  As an assistant GM for many years with organizations that had to build from scratch in the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators, he had the pedigree coming in as a guy on the rise who knew how to construct a franchise.

With the Penguins, he's done exactly that, building a solid foundation with an improved scouting department, placing an emphasis on player development, and relying on organizational continuity.

In addition to that, Shero has shown an astute ability for drafting, trading and salary cap management.  I've praised him in this space for going against the grain of long-term contracts and instead maintaining salary flexibility by honing in and locking down a group of core players which will always keep the team in the Stanley Cup hunt.  

Of course, to do that requires a keen eye for talent and organizational fit.  It also requires giving yourself a lot of options, which Shero has done well with the help of owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle.All 3 have created a great team atmosphere surrounding the Penguins and more than one player --Brooks Orpik is one, newly signed Mike Comrie another -- has gone on record of saying that they took less because they wanted to play in Pittsburgh and give themselves a shot at a Stanley Cup.

Lemieux and Burkle said of Shero's signing today, "This was an easy decision."

Undoubtedly, it was.  The Penguins are fortunate to have Shero.  And with the 'foundation' of the team now committed for at least 5 more years, the ship remains under strong and steady guidance.

In Shero We Trust.