Is Penguins GM Shero Done Yet?
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 2, 10:45 PM | Hype this story!
With the rather large addition of Alexei Ponikarovsky late this evening, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero has managed to add a legitimate scoring winger without giving up anything of importance from his roster.
Add in yesterday’s acquisition of defenseman Jordan Leopold for a second round draft pick, and Shero addressed what most considered his team’s two biggest needs: a scoring winger and a defensive upgrade.
Clearly, the Penguins were among the most talented teams in the NHL prior to these trades. Now, one has to wonder which team, if any, can match them player for player.
So Shero’s done, right?
Probably, but not definitely.
With 16.5 hours left until the NHL puts a halt to all roster movement, Shero surely will keep his ears to the phone looking to further improve his roster.
While Shero certainly won’t be in the business of making hasty moves to counter-punch his fellow general managers, it should be noted that the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals have yet to make any moves. And, the New Jersey Devils, following the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk, today inquired about Scott Niedermayer, confirming their stance as a deadline buyer.
If any of these teams makes a significant move to bolster its roster, Shero just might be a bit more likely to make yet another move.
Maybe Raffi Torres, long rumored to be on Shero’s radar, or another forward suddenly fits into Shero’s value range — kind of how Ponikarovsky did tonight.
Maybe a defenseman becomes available to push Jay McKee down the depth chart.
Shero may not have much cap space to work with — roughly $29,771 — but should he put Eric Godard on long term injured reserves, he could free up enough full season cap space to add another piece to the puzzle, assuming he traded a roster player.
Now, I’m not saying I expect Shero to be active tomorrow, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if we hear a few rumblings coming out of Pittsburgh through the morning and early afternoon.
It’s an exciting time to be a hockey fan, and no question, an exciting time to be a Penguin fan, as their brilliant general manager continues to work magic year after year.
Comments
JMR
Mar 2, 10:55 PM
Why wouldn’t he put Godard on IR anyway? Do they expect him back this year? Or is it a negotiating strategy—maybe he doesn’t want it known that he’s cleared space until he actually needs it? Something else?
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 2, 11:03 PM
@JMR, thanks for stopping by!
LTIR and IR are different. Currently, Godard is on IR, which means he is off the active roster, giving Shero the opportunity to add someone in his place without going over the salary cap. LTIR is for players injured more than 30 days, I believe, and it allows a team to exceed the salary cap by the injured player’s cap hit during the time the player is on LTIR.
Since the salary cap isn’t in effect during the playoffs, and since Godard’s injury could keep him out until very close to the playoffs, it might make sense for Shero to create the illusion of extra cap space by bumping him to LTIR. It’s not a definite, but it remains an option should Shero come across a deal that is too good to refuse.
To answer your last question, LTIR isn’t something that accrues, like regular cap space. There really is no benefit (or downside, for that matter) of placing a player on LTIR unless there is a need for cap relief.
Albert
Mar 2, 11:14 PM
They seem to have “too many” forwards now with the addition of Poni and Talbot back.
Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin
Poni – Malkin – Dupuis
Cooke – Staal – Kennedy
Rupp – Talbot – Adams
I’d say Fedotenko is the odd man out.
Dupuis is better on the forecheck, better on the backcheck, and valuable on the PK.
Matt — Any chance they move “Mr. Clutch” to one of these teams starving for a “goal-scoring winger.” I would not be sad to see him moved—esp. if he was part of a deal that enabled GMRS to further upgrade the D.
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 2, 11:22 PM
@Albert, Fedotenko most certainly is not the odd man out. Did you see the way he played tonight? He’s had a down year, yes. But when the games matter, his game elevates. He’s a proven playoff performer, and it would make no sense to trade him unless he is part of a package with a pick or prospect to flat out improve the second line.
Truthfully, he is the type of player Cup contenders look to add at the deadline, not trade. And, at worst, he represents depth. Trading him for a defenseman weakens the offensive depth. And, not to mention, who of the top six defenders would you sit at this point? Any defender brought in would likely be a number seven. Fedotenko is much more valuable to the Pens on the roster than as trade bait for a healthy scratch defender.
I see lines shaping up as such:
Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin
Ponikarovsky – Malkin – Fedotenko
Cooke – Staal – Kennedy
Dupuis – Talbot – Rupp
Extra: Adams
Dupuis is a third/fourth line player who has been elevated to a scoring role out of necessity. Fedotenko is a career second/third line forward with a natural scoring and passing touch. Of course, if Fedotenko’s struggles continue, he and Dupuis can and likely will be swapped. But I’d be extremely surprised if Bylsma doesn’t utilize the lines I mentioned above.
Albert
Mar 2, 11:30 PM
Matt – that sounds right to me. I’m just not a Tenk fan. if he’s the kind of player teams look to add at the deadline, then I say trade him—to the West.
I like lines w/ a distributor, a trigger, and a banger. Like: Crosby, Guerin, Kunitz; respectively.
Tenk is supposed to be a “trigger” but he doesn’t score. Poni will. And Dupuis could be the “banger.” Not that Dupuis hits like Kunitz, but he’ll battle for pucks. A defenceman breathes on Tenk and he falls off the puck.
I know you are right, but if GMRS is NOT done…moving Tenk is on my personal wishlist.
JMR
Mar 2, 11:58 PM
Ah, ok. Makes sense. Thanks, man.
Dan40
Mar 3, 12:16 AM
Matt/Albert-The two of you have brought up subjects I have been thinking of since the trade. Is GMRS done and who sits. I personally think RS is not done and he has something up his sleeve. I think Feds should sit or maybe even traded tomorrow. I know he looked good tonight but he should have been doing things like that for most of the season, not the day before the trade deadline.
Hey, at least the turnover machine is gone.
FDeuce
Mar 3, 01:20 AM
@Dan – Fedotenko didn’t show up last season until the stretch run into the playoffs, and I wasn’t really expecting more out of him this season (especially since he took a paycut).
Ray aka WildcatRay
Mar 3, 07:33 AM
Keep in mind that guys like Godard are more important during the regular season and usually sit even if dressed during the playoffs. With the exception of the Flyers there are few teams that the Pens will play were a Godard might be needed. Placing him on LTIR means adding someone who can contribute in the playoffs is a better possibility IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT.
Natty Lite (aka Nate)
Mar 3, 09:32 AM
@Ray,
Keep in mind the Flyers waved Cote, so even in the case of the Flyers and Pens meeting, Goddard may not be all that important.
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