2009 NHL free agency: What the Pittsburgh Penguins should do

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 29, 2009 7:33 PM EDT in Pittsburgh Penguins free agents

(Part of a SB Nation league wide series)

2009 NHL Free Agency: What The Penguins Should Do

Pending UFAs: Ruslan Fedotenko, Petr Sykora, Robert Scuderi, Hal Gill, Philippe Boucher, Miroslav Satan, Mike Zigomanis, Mathieu Garon

Pending RFAs: Ben Lovejoy, John Curry

Salary cap space: Approx. $5.5 million

Projected budget: $56.8-million

Key needs: Pittsburgh needs to add Top 6 winger or two and at least one Top 4 defensemen, while still squeezing under the already looming salary cap. In the past, GM Ray Shero has gambled on free agents with warts -- like guys coming off an injury filled seasons -- in order to get cheap options on short-term contracts. Expect him to scan the market and do the same, it'll likely be another patchwork of forwards running with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin until home-grown winger prospects grow into NHL roles in the coming years. The Pens will make a push to re-sign Ruslan Fedotenko and Rob Scuderi, but it remains to be seen if either can be lured back with less money in Pittsburgh compared to offers they will get on the open market.

With the Pens current defensive makeup, they figure to benefit from a physical or "crease-clearing" defenseman moreso than adding another "puck-moving" defenseman. Pittsburgh also doesn't have any proven depth in net behind Marc-Andre Fleury (who's missed significant parts of the past two seasons with injury), so it's probably a good idea to seek an experienced veteran for the #2 or #3 goalie, so the organization has a safety net in case Fleury misses more time.

Potential targets: Fedotenko, Ales Kotalik, Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Knuble, Chad LaRose, Steve Sullivan, Radek Dvorak, Scuderi, Greg Zanon, Nick Boynton, Steve Montador, Garon, Joey MacDonald

What our rivals want: Philadelphia Flyers: (Broad Street Hockey), Washington Capitals: (Japers Rink)

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Comments

I wish I had known you were going to put something like this up before I went to the trouble of making a very similar post. :p

I agree with you that Ray Shero will most likely search through the bargain bin, but I would not be at all surprised to see a couple of fire sales here.

Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.

by Malsby on Jun 29, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

I’m really happy that we have Guerin but nervous to find out how much money we spent on him… hopefully that will be released soon.

And I hope that Fedotenko stays because I have become attached to him. I also think it helps Geno to have Russian speakers.

by Cari on Jun 29, 2009 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

I’m still optimistic they’ll get a deal done with Fedotenko. And the more I think about it I’m not so pessimistic about Scuderi; I think he wants to remain a Pen, and I’m just not sure that anyone’s going to blow him away with an offer in this offseason.

But please Penguins, DO NOT sign Todd Bertuzzi. There are very few things I ask of you, but please do not do this. The night I have to see that d-bag lift the Stanley Cup will be the last hockey game I watch.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Jun 29, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

I 100% agree with this statement. I think we’ll get Fedotenko to sign because we have a very dynamic team and I know he really likes playing on a line with Staal (we were/are very lucky to have a third line with such a big impact).

Also I agree that the Penguins MUST NOT SIGN TODD BERTUZZI. I am from Colorado, and while the Pens are my number one team (have been since I was little), I am still a fan of the Avs. I watched the game in which Bertuzzi hit Steve Moore and it was a haunting hit. The guy laid on the ice in a pool of his own blood, while Bertuzzi sat on the bench proud of what he did (plus it was a planned hit). I don’t care if the guy squirted some tears for the press, I won’t forgive him. Hitting is hockey, but that was a terrible, dirty, unjustified hit. If only the game would have been in Colorado that criminal would be sitting in a jail cell instead of making millions while the guy he hit is still struggling in a law suit and will never get to play the game again. The Pens are a respectable organization and they don’t need guys like him. I’d rather not win the Cup than see him lift it wearing a jersey that I love (I’d rather never see him lift it actually).

by savage303 on Jun 30, 2009 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Tenk played on the 2nd line with Talbot (in the playoffs) and Malkin.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 30, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

what the pens should really do

really they only need one or two top six wingers. they should keep lines one and three and try to resign fedotenko. then you can keep line 2 with malkin and talbot (who played very well there in the playoffs). then on line four they only need to find some cheap center or call up a prospect to play with adams and dupuis.

the pens should make it a priority to sign scuds and fedokenko. adams signed for only 550k so there should be just a little more cap space than before.

On D the penguins have gonchar and orpik as the first pairing. make letang and eaton the 2nd or 3rd and put either goligoski or lovejoy (if they can resign him) with scuderi.

and at goalie just sign curry to a small contract

by random task on Jun 29, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

Goligoski is definately playing for the Pens next season. If they can sign Scuderi I think they are good on D and need to put the rest of their money towards forwards.

Sounds like they got Guerin at a great price. No way they would sign Bertuzzi now. Of everyone else on the list, I would love a guy like Steve Sullivan or Mike Knuble. I would be okay if they do not sign Fedotenko if they got a guy like that instead.

On Scuderi and Fedotenko, it’s all gonna come down to giving a hometown discount to the Pens. They are both gonna test the open market, and both get higher offers elsewhere.

Scuderi would hurt more if he leaves in my opinion.

by Tim C on Jun 29, 2009 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

well the good news is that they have about 5.6million to spend. fedotenko was payed 2.25 million and scuderi was payed 0.7. throw 2.3 or 2.4 at fedotenko and 1.4 at scuderi. if that were to work then they still have some money to resign some of their younger prospects such as lovejoy that will hit the market.

by random task on Jun 30, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Id expect Shero to throw a bit more at scuds…but it seems that either way Scuderi and Gill will test the FA market.

This from Trib Total Media Headlines

Free-agency update …

Beat reporter Rob Rossi gives the lowdown on activity between the Penguins and their players who can become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday:

LW Ruslan Fedotenko: No offer yet. He is seeking a multi-year deal. Talks will intensify today, though he is leaning toward testing the market.

D Rob Scuderi: Talks will continue today, but Scuderi will test the market. However, his camp will meet with Penguins one last time before making any final decision. He is seeking a multi-year deal.

D Hal Gill: His situation mirrors that for Scuderi.

C Mike Zigomanis: His camp was actively engaged in talks with Shero, and a deal could be reached before Wednesday.

RW Petr Sykora: No offer. However, the Penguins have not ruled out bringing him back.

RW Miroslav Satan: No offer. His return is unlikely. He will test the market.

D Philippe Boucher: No offer. His fate is tied into Scuderi and Gill. He will test the market.

G Mathieu Garon: No offer. He will test the market.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 30, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Scuderi should receive much, much more than $1.4-million in free agency. Jeff Finger is paid $3.5-million a season on the Leafs.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 30, 2009 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions

with 5.6ish to spend they might be able to resign ziggy

by random task on Jun 30, 2009 12:38 AM EDT reply actions

people are making a big deal about their lack of cap space.
this is a problem for just about every team in the league. the red wings only have 5 million to spend so it doesnt look like they will have the money to resign hossa

by random task on Jun 30, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions

We are mostly making a big deal about it because its the off season…and football is still a couple months away, and I hate baseball…and tennis…

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 30, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions

but they just offered him a long-term deal regardless

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 30, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ideally I’d like to see Fedotenko back in a Pens uni, but if that proves un-doable, I think I could be pleased with someone like Chad LaRose. He was one of the few guys who showed up for the ’Canes in the ECF, seems like somewhat of a sparkplug guy who could play on any line you want him to and have a positive attitude about it. Someone like that could alleviate some of the questions as to whether Mad Max can produce consistently as a top 6 winger.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jul 1, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions