To start things off (since I’ll be gone all weekend) I took what will be an unpopular option around here: let Fedotenko go. I don’t think the Pens can keep him without dealing another forward with a relatively high salary— like Dupuis ($1.4 million) or Cooke ($1.2 million). And even though Tenk Top brings more to the table then those two, at some point you have to get depth.

I think (hope) Guerin comes back for about $2 million a year. That fills a big hole. Then the Pens can dip into the UFA pool to try and find another winger for Malkin at about $2 million on a one year deal. After all, that’s how they got Fedotenko in the first place last summer.

That doesn’t leave room for Scuderi, and it probably relies on a player of questionable point prodcution like Talbot or Kennedy to play on Malkin’s other wing. Of course there’s the possibility a young buck like Luca Caputi could make the jump to the NHL, but that’s a lot to ask of a 21 year old player with only a year of professional experience.

It’s gonna be a tough, tight squeeze and something is going to have to give. I’d love to see Fedotenko back, I just don’t see how it would happen. That’s the tough dilemma for GM Ray Shero and new assitant GM (and cap architect) Jason Botterill to answer. With how they’ve built this team so far, I think we as fans can be comfortable to defer to their expertise and see what choices they make.

Yesterday on the X they said that rumor had it that Tenks was offered 7.something for 3 years. it came to like 2.2 cap hit.

I would like to see him stay. He fits the mentality of Bylsma and getting players that do that and buy into the same mentality is crucial. I’m not a money person so I will leave that to the front office. Money can buy lots of things, but heart isn’t one of them. Just my $.02 FWIW

Now this is getting difficult, and math was never my strong subject. Same as CGNC, I’d like to see Fedotenko stay and like how he clicks with Bylsma’s vision. However, I am reasonably sure that Ray Shero’s buying his antacids by the drum at Costco or Sam’s Club right now.

Fed’s should be at the top of the list of players shero will try to keep through the off season. I have the feeling that it will be similar to last year and a lot of good players will move alsewhere in the league.

With that said, look how it worked out this year. If there is any group of people that I trust it is definately the Pens front office. And with Mario so involved in the team, its like having a guardian angel.

I guess all this talk about Feds leave poor Janne out in the cold. He said he would come back to the Pens organization, but I don’t think they can afford him anymore.

I’m basically a new Pens fan but have been a hockey fan for…well, forever. As a set of new eyes on the team I can tell you this: right after I noticed Malkin’s name being mentioned all the time, I noticed Fedotenko. I’ve been watching the man and he amazes me with his style of play. He’s not usually a flashy player but he can be when needed. His play off the puck, especially as the playoffs went on, was something to behold. The last 2 games of the Finals he was playing like a man possessed. Now personally, I’d love to see him play like that ALL of the time, he seems to have his quiet games….but overall he’s one of those grinders that a team like the Pens need. He does fit Bylsma’s style. (BTW, I refer to Bylsma as Coachie, after a commetator on a Canadian radio station) In fact, to have Coachie refer to our style of play as Ruslan Fedotenko hockey totally floored me when he first said it…but I do see what he means! Keep him…please!!

I just wonder what he could have done under a full year of Bylsma.

i also wonder what Satan could have done under a full year of Bylsma

I really don’t think keeping Suds is a priority. If you look at the lines it’s gonna be Sarge and Orpik, Eaton and Letang, and Go-Go and ????. It seems a bit odd to be so distraught about loosing you #5 defenseman. With much respect to Scuds, reliable stay at home defensemen for your final pairing aren’t exactly “tough” to come by. We may miss him in some situational roles like when they had to shut down Ocho, but I’m confident that Shero and Disco Dan can figure it out.