PITTSBURGH -- He is 33 now, an aging sniper who scored just 43 goals
combined in the past two seasons with the New York Islanders.

Safe to say Miroslav Satan won't be confused with former Penguin
Marian Hossa.

But if there ever was a potion to revive a scorer's touch, it is the
assignment Satan currently has -- on the wing with Pens superstar
centre Sidney Crosby.

"I've played only one game so far, but it was fun to be on his line,"
Satan said yesterday.

"Obviously (Crosby) can make faster plays than most other guys, so you
have to be ready all the time. You don't have time to wonder what he
is going to do. You have to react and play and be on the edge all the
time."

After playing with a number of different wingers last season, Crosby
clicked nicely with Hossa during the Pens' run to the Stanley Cup final.

But when Hossa turned down a seven-year deal with Pittsburgh and
bolted for Detroit, Pens general manager Ray Shero went shopping for a
replacement and offered Satan a one-year deal worth $3.5-million US.

Crosby has been working with Satan and Pascal Dupuis during training
camp and so far likes what he sees.

"It should be good, it's one of those things where we've got to
continue to work with each other and get a feel for our tendencies and
things like that," Crosby said.

"(Satan) is a great scorer -- somebody who knows where to go, which
makes my job easier.

"You know the guy's going to be in front of the net."

The Maple Leafs will get a first-hand look at the newly formed combo
tonight as the Penguins already are swinging into high gear.

The team trimmed 13 players yesterday, leaving 29 on the roster as
they fast-track camp in advance of their early start to the regular
season in Sweden on Oct. 4 and 5.

"I'd like to play as long as it's going to be fun and as long as I am
healthy," Satan said. "This might be a great situation for me."