Camp Concerns
By Bob Grove

Concern: Inexperience of the coach.

Solution: Time, time and more time. Olczyk also must rely on his assistants for some help, especially Lorne Molleken, who has the most coaching experience. Running the bench in preseason games will advance the process, but it's not exactly trial by fire.

Concern: What to do with Marc-Andre Fleury?

Solution: The No.1 pick in June's draft and potential franchise goaltender must return to junior hockey if he doesn't stick here. Determining his suitability for the NHL in one month really shouldn't be too difficult, if only because this kid will have to have to be consistently outstanding to pull it off. Merely a good camp won't do; there's no sense risking his confidence behind a defensively-challenged team especially against the Forsbergs, Kovalevs and Hossas of the world. But with Johan Hedberg gone and Sebastien Caron still with much to prove, anything is possible.

Concern: Reinforcing the notion among young players that Lemieux is just one of the guys, not a skating icon.

Solution: Not an easy one. "It's very hard for young players to relate to Mario right now," says Olczyk, "but in time they'll learn from guys like Bergevin and McKenna. If he's open, get it to him as much as you can. But if there are two players on him. . . be smart."

Concern: Is there a solid faceoff man in the house?

Solution: The acquisition of Eastwood helps, but top to bottom the Penguins remain one of the league's worst teams on draws. This is an area Olczyk vows to improve, and his individual work with centermen from the start of camp will be critical.