“Not forever,’’ Satan said when asked if he considered declining the assignment and going home. “But for the season? Yeah. I thought about it for a long time.’’
As much as he doubted a playoff promotion might take place, Satan was almost equally as certain of one thing: The Penguins, with their star power down the middle (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal), stoutness on defense (Sergei Gonchar, Brooks Orpik, Rob Scuderi, Hal Gill), and game-changing presence in goal (Marc-Andre Fleury), had enough talent to win the Stanley Cup.
With that in mind, Satan accepted the assignment, scoring three goals and six assists for the AHL team. At the end of the regular season, general manager Ray Shero kept his word. Pittsburgh recalled Satan April 10. He appeared in 17 postseason games, with one goal and five assists. When the Penguins beat Detroit at Joe Louis Arena in Game 7, Satan was on the fourth line with Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams, and something came to his mind as he hoisted the Cup.
“The first thing I thought about was that [if] I quit just there,’’ recalled Satan, “then this wouldn’t [have happened] for me.’’
As Satan has shown once again this year after signing with the Bruins, quitting isn’t in his nature just yet. He had other offers, including some from Europe, to start 2009-10 in uniform. With no situations to his liking, Satan settled into life at home on Long Island last fall with his wife and two children. While players were arriving at rinks in the morning, Satan would be having breakfast with his family. When they were on the ice for morning skates, Satan would be skating on his own at the Islanders’ practice facility in Syosset, N.Y. When they were settling into pregame naps, Satan would be back at home for more family time.
“Really enjoyed it,’’ Satan said.
