Faceoff Factor

Plans For 09-10 Season Unclear, Says Shero

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jul 1, 11:12 AM | Hype this story!

Free agency is scheduled to begin in less than two hours, and Penguins general manager Ray Shero has no idea how things will play out for his team, but that doesn’t mean the crafty executive doesn’t have a few ideas.

Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in a very insightful article that Shero is considering free agency, trades, and promotions from within.

Wrote Molinari, “Shero mentioned forwards Dustin Jeffrey, Luca Caputi, Paul Bissonnette and Nick Johnson, defensemen Ben Lovejoy, Brian Strait and Deryk Engelland and goalie John Curry” as possible internal options for the Penguins.

Noticeably absent is newly acquired power forward prospect Eric Tangradi, who recently spoke with FF’s Jesse Marshall. Tangradi, recovering from a wrist injury, is unable to prepare himself as he normally would for the upcoming hockey season, making it likely that he will need at least a few months — if not more — of AHL hockey before tasting the NHL.

Molinari also updated on the status of defenseman Rob Scuderi and forward Ruslan Fedotenko, the two players Shero would most like to retain.

“The Penguins would like to bring back both, but they will be able to begin exploring the free-agent market today. How Fedotenko will proceed is not clear, but Scuderi is expected to see what kind of offers he attracts, then give the Penguins an opportunity to make a counter-proposal.”

Shero, however, won’t be waiting around for Scuderi and Fedotenko to make decisions. He told Molinari that he and his staff have several lists ranking the free agents at each position and that he will not sit by idly if he sees an opportunity to sign a player or two.

Lastly, Molinari mentioned again that defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang — both of whom remain signed through the 2009-10 season — are on the radar to negotiate contract extensions. Shero pointed out, though, that, despite reports indicating a desire to work out contracts immediately, such negotiations will be on the back burner until the 2009-10 issues are resolved.