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Q: Why don't teams sign a specialist to score goals in shootouts? Many, like Erik Christensen, are not good players and are only skilled as scorers, but they can serve a purpose. After all, years ago many teams had players who only played on the penalty-kill; the Pens had Val Fonteyne, for instance. The Pens should look for the best one-on-one goal-scorer they can find and sign him.

Tom Trageser, Mt. Lebanon

MOLINARI: If, in fact, a player would be retained solely for his shootout ability, his team would be spending a lot of money -- and wasting a lineup spot on a lot of nights -- for a guy who would work only when there was a specific set of circumstances.

The Penguins had 12 games that went to a shootout last season, up one from the previous season. They were in 16 in 2006-07, but just seven the year before.

That means they've had an average of 11.5 shootouts per season since the shootout was introduced, so precedent suggests that a guy who gets involved only when that happens would spend about 70 games nailed to the bench during a typical season.

Christensen carved out a niche as an excellent shootout man during his time with the Penguins, but that wasn't the only role he filled. Although he still hasn't established himself as a top-six forward at this level, which is the job for which his game is best-suited, Christensen can be used in even-strength and power-play situations. For the record, he's averaging nine minutes, 30 seconds of ice time in six appearances with Anaheim this season.

Q: Has Mario Lemieux ever gone down and just skated and had fun with the players during a practice? I find it hard to believe that a player who has spent such a significant portion of his life can resist the urge to lace them up a bit here and there and skate around with a bunch of players that he already knows.

Mark Spano, Dormont

MOLINARI: While owning an NHL team comes with a lot of privileges and perks, Lemieux has been around the game long enough to know that practices are not the time for a non-player -- even one who signs the checks -- to get a little exercise and do some socializing.

He doesn't do any on-ice coaching, either. That's what Dan Bylsma and his staff are paid for. Lemieux obviously is available if the coaches (or general manager or whoever) want some advice or an outside opinion, but he allows people to do the jobs for which they were hired. If that parade Downtown a few months back is any indication, Lemieux's approach is working out fairly well.

Q: If a player receives a penalty during overtime that does not expire before the period ends, is that player eligible for the shootout?

Scott, Pittsburgh

MOLINARI: With few exceptions, everyone in both lineups is eligible to participate in the shootout. Those exceptions, per Rule 84.4, are players who are serving a 10-minute misconduct when the overtime begins and those who were assessed a game misconduct or match penalty.

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