Penguins Re-Sign Fedotenko
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Jul 3, 03:17 PM | Hype this story!
Just when things started looking bleak, general manager Ray Shero inked veteran winger Ruslan Fedotenko to a contract, keeping Evgeni Malkin’s left winger in place for one more year.
Fedotenko marks the second prominent forward re-signing by the Penguins, who lost two prominent defensemen to free agency.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting the contract is worth $1.8 million, a paycut from the $2.25 million he earned last season.
Reportedly, Fedotenko was seeking years more than dollars, though the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup again clearly influenced his decision to take less money to stay in Pittsburgh.
With the return of Fedotenko, coach Dan Bylsma will have the luxury of deploying a similar offensive lineup to the one used during the Stanley Cup Finals.
The 6’2, 195 pound forward played in 65 games with the Penguins last season, recording 16 goals and 23 assists. While his regular season production may not seem like that of a second liner, his game in the playoffs was elevated — seven goals and seven assists — once he became a permanent fixture on Malkin’s wing.
- An updated look at the Penguins’ roster, salary cap situation, and minor league report can be found here.
Comments
Pens1967
Jul 3, 03:21 PM
Matt, Molinari reports 1 yr, 1.8M.
Matt Bodenschatz
Jul 3, 03:31 PM
Thanks, updated — and I was completely wrong thinking that, since he sought years over money, he’d have a higher cap hit because of the one-year deal. Wow, Shero continues to work his magic.
Three players signed, three players take paycuts from Stanley Cup contracts.
Pens1967
Jul 3, 03:43 PM
I’m surprised about the pay cut. I’d have thought he would sign for about what he made last year. Perhaps, Feds got a NTC or NMC as a trade off. Anwyay, it will be nice to see “Rusty hockey” at the Igloo again this year.
bag o' pucks
Jul 3, 04:48 PM
Agreed, boys. Shero’s patience pays off again. Good stuff.
Nate
Jul 3, 04:53 PM
sHero is the “magic man”!
Chris Gates
Jul 3, 05:00 PM
I cannot believe Shero got Feds for a pay cut. He certainly is magic.
Now he needs to use the extra cash and land a solid d-man!
—
Chris | PPT
“IN SHERO WE TRUST”
ForgedMissionOrders
Jul 3, 05:36 PM
I’m stunned, it sure seemed Tenk wanted to get a few years on his next deal, and cash in on his success here. Shero and the Pens do seem to have a knack for getting who they want at the price they want. Treating players fairly and being upfront with them seems to be earning Shero a lot of respect when it comes negotiating time. I think that also says alot about the character of the players we target too, good men who are good hockey players as well.
Steel Penguin
Jul 3, 07:51 PM
Its great to see the TENK back for another season. I agree Shero is the man when it comes to getting guys to buy into the Penguins not just dollar signs that is what will establish a stable franchise for years to come. I’m interested to see what he does with the available 3 mill or so he has left. I still think a trade or two is in the works, probably just for prospects or draft picks, but that will open some space to replace Sykora if in-fact he goes else where. I’m not a bandwagon hater, I love Sykora and think his injury is really what held him back the last half of the season. The guy is clutch and I think will be back to 100% next season. If not Sykora I would say maxim afinogenov or another reclamation project to put on the right wing for malkin.
Colin44
Jul 3, 08:49 PM
Great deal. I feel like if fedotenko is going to have a good season offensively the pens need another defensive forward on malkin’s line. He was at his best in the playoffs once talbot was inserted on the 2nd line and he broke out of a late season slump playing on the 3rd line (with staal there as another defensive safety valve)
bag o' pucks
Jul 4, 12:29 AM
Surprisingly enough, Tenk was second on the teamin +/- at +18, only trailing The Piece, who was +23.
Shlim
Jul 4, 02:28 AM
I sure will miss the piece but WoO
gO PeNs!
mike t
Jul 4, 11:36 AM
Did anyone else hear that rumor that the Blackhawk’s GM Dave Tallon didn’t send in the qualifying offers to his restricted free agents in time, making them unrestriced free agents. It currently being review by the league and if he sent them in late, I wouldn’t mind seeing Kris Versteeg in a Penguins uniform.
TIM
Jul 4, 12:04 PM
I wouldn’t mind either, but last I heard Tallon wasn’t worried about it He sent the offers but they didn’t get delivered because of a July 1st Holiday. He faxed them over to the NHL so I don’t think anything will happen
Matt Bodenschatz
Jul 4, 12:07 PM
@Mike, TSN is reporting this. Not sure what will come of it, but I’m sure their RFA’s wouldn’t abandon them. Also, there’s no way the Penguins could afford Versteeg, who likely would earn $3+ million on the open market.
bag o' pucks
Jul 4, 12:37 PM
I can’t imagine the league allowing those RFAs to walk.
Albert
Jul 5, 01:33 PM
Excellent signing. Good for Tenk and, yes, good for Shero, BUT...don’t think this all from the goodness of Tenk’s heart.
He missed ~15 games w/ a broken hand, and didn’t score much even w/ being on Malkin’s line ALL year. 16 goals on Malkin’s line is pretty sad, really.
My take: he knows he has a chance at another Cup, but more importantly (to him), he prob feels like he can score 30 if he stays healthy. THEN he’ll be in line for a B-I-G contract.
I don’t blame him at all, but to read this as purely selfless is in error, imo.
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday.
Now let’s get Beauchemin!
DaBich
Jul 6, 06:34 AM
Another link signed … good stuff!
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