PENGUINS Lemieux ready for at least one year

A challenge will be how the hall of famer works with players half his age.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- Proclaiming to be in his best off-season shape ever, 37-year-old Mario Lemieux said he's ready for one more National Hockey League season.
And maybe more.
During a press conference Thursday, the Penguins owner and the athlete regarded by most as the greatest to play in Pittsburgh, confirmed that he will skate for the Pens during the 2003-04 season.
And perhaps longer.
"It's not a farewell season," said Lemieux, who led the Penguins to two Stanley Cup Championships more than a decade ago. "Not yet."
The key is how many injuries Lemieux, whose past medical history includes cancer and back problems, suffers.
Another challenge will be how the hall of famer endures working with a lineup loaded with players nearly half his age.
Health
"As long as I'm feeling well physically," Lemieux suggested his career could extend past next season. "Today, I'm feeling great, my back is in great shape. I've had plenty of rest."
Lemieux, who bought the team in 1999 in the second year of his first retirement, appeared ready to retire again when the Pens' season ended in April.
In the past two seasons, the Penguins have gone from perennial Stanley Cup contender to the bottom of the league. Trades sent away Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Kovalev and Darius Kasparitius for little value in return.
During his final regular season game, Lemieux created valuable auction souvenirs by constantly changing sweaters and sticks throughout the game.
Four months later, Lemieux says he's 12 pounds lighter than a year ago and raring to go.
Asked what prompted him, Lemieux said, "First and foremost is my desire to play again."
Of the long delay in making a formal announcement, Lemieux said, "I just wanted to make sure it was the right decision."
This time, Lemieux's team has new, reduced expectations.
Less talent
The likes of Jagr and Robert Lang have been replaced with youngsters boasting far less scoring talents. Lemieux agreed that playing strong defense -- not his strongest suit -- will be a priority.
"Our goal is to be competitive every night," Lemieux said of the coming year. "Our goal is to get back to the playoffs."
Lemieux vowed to accept a role he's shunned in the past -- mentor.
He admitted he failed to get the team's younger players to excel after the trading deadline.
"We didn't have much time before the season ended," Lemieux said. "Hopefully there will be more in training camp."
He praised the club's signing of 36-year-old free agents Kelly Buchberger and Mike Eastwood to help teach the youngsters.
Promising to play within the defensive system new coach Ed Olczyk instills, Lemieux said, "Everybody has to be on the same page."
Saying he intends to play all 82 games, Lemieux said fans shouldn't expect to see him logging 24 minutes a game like last season.
"[Colorado's Joe] Sakic [and Peter] Forsberg played about 18-20 minutes last season and those are some pretty good guys," Lemieux said. "So it's possible to play that much and do well."
Pursuit of arena
Lemieux said his return has nothing to do with the team's pursuit of a new arena.
"I was frustrated a few months back, but progress is being made," Lemieux said.
In 15 NHL seasons, Lemieux has scored 682 goals and recorded 1,010 assists.
By returning, Lemieux has his sights set on scoring his 700th career goal.
"Not too many players have reached 700 goals, so it would be pretty special," Lemieux said.
williams@vindy.com