We wonder if Kris Beech has had a change of heart about how ugly the Penguins jersey is now that the team has thrown him a life preserver.

We remember watching this video at a Penguins game in Washington last season and nearly spitting our Coke out in the irony of the statement.

We're sure at this point, Beech will wear any NHL jersey, ugly or otherwise.

(Kudos to EN Reader Greg Snyder of Fredrick, Md. for finding the video.)

ALL-STAR LAME

We didn't really watch the All-Star Skills competition last night. From what we hear, there really wasn't much to miss other than Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro dropping an F bomb when Marian Gaborik tried to pull a wrap-around on him in the breakaway competition.

EN contributor Eric Politowski compiled all of the Penguins' highlights (if you want to call them that) from last night's festivities:

We give the NHL credit for switching things up to try and make this semi-interesting, but sorry. We have a hard time getting exciting for any all-star game. It's all style and very little substance.

EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS

Penguins

-The Penguins didn't really do much in the skills competition last night.

-The NHLPA still needs to approve the Penguins' trip to Sweden next season.

-Marc-Andre Fleury had his number retired by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, his junior team.

-Gary Roberts will begin skating soon.

-David Brown made 25 saves for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 3-2 win at Manchester.

-Curtis Darling made 26 saves for the Wheeling Nailers in a 2-0 loss to Cincinnati.

Southeast Division

-Should Atlanta rookie defenseman Tobias Enstrom be getting more consideration for the Calder Trophy?

First Published: January 27, 2008, 9:15 p.m.