Free-agent history gives Penguins’ future a boost

Give Scott Young much of the credit for convincing Drew O'Connor to sign with the Penguins.

But save a little for guys like Conor Sheary, Casey DeSmith and Zach Aston-Reese, too.

Oh, they weren't directly involved in recruiting O'Connor, a free-agent forward from Dartmouth who signed a two-year deal with the Penguins earlier this month, but the success they've had in the organization after leaving college as free agents helped to convince O'Connor to start his pro career here.

"Part of joining the Penguins was their history with college free agents, and college players in general," he told a conference call Friday. "The success they've had with those players, and how they've developed them.…