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Lots of feelers still out there for Shero and Penguins after Day One

by Tony on 07/02/09 at 10:54 AM ET
Comments (1)

I guess that we as Penguins fans have gotten used to being patient when it comes to Free Agency under GM Ray Shero. You must resist the urge to exclaim “Huh ??” when the first free agent signing of the period for the Pens is, Mike Rupp ??

Like last July 1st, when Shero’s only signing was, Eric Godard.

It was on July 2nd a year ago when Hossa-gate happened, resulting in GMRS scrambling to sign Ruslan Fedotenko and Miro Satan the next day.

Fast forward to present day, and Rob Scuderi and Fedotenko are still negotiating with several teams, Hal Gill has to start learning French and Mathieu Garon is next up to Dot the “I” at the Horseshoe.

As far as UFA’s still out there, most of the players that the Pens even had a realistic chance of signing are still out there. There was not going to be a Hossa signing, nor Gaborik, nor Havlat, yadda, yadda. The Pens reportedly were attempting to sign former Flyer Mike Knuble, but he signed with the Caps.

With the Penguins only having ~$4.7M of cap space remaining, GMRS is going to have to do some wheeling and dealing if he has any chance of retaining both Scuderi and Fedotenko. Even if both of those players go elsewhere, getting suitable replacements will be tough with that little cap space available. I’ve read reports, particularly from KDKA’s Bob Pompeani, stating that Shero was attempting to deal Pascal Dupuis and Godard to clear up cap room.

One player I’ve been watching closely for updates is Chad LaRose, who looks to be formerly of the Canes. LaRose would appear to fit like a glove with the Pens. Speedy, good hands, a little gritty.

I have a feeling both Scuds and Feds will be signing today. Whether it’s in Pittsburgh or elsewhere, that’s the question.

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Tags: NHL-Hockey, Pittsburgh+Penguins,

Comments

The patience Shero displays is extremely frustrating, but really is the way a GM should go about their business. Regardless of how the team looks on July 5th, or October 1st, it’s the way it looks on the day the Stanley Cup Playoffs start that matters most. Shero has been brilliant at the trading deadline, and this should continue. He will not overpay for Scuderi or Fedotenko, but he will work very hard to get them back. I’m not that crazy about trading Dupuis. He is an excelent penalty killer, and teamed with Adams, will provide quality minutes in that role from 4th liners. He is also fast, and can fill in on another line, for a short period of time, while providing quality minutes. Godard should be expendable now that Rupp is in the fold. This team is built around Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury and Orpik. That’s why they have the long term contracts, and the big money. No team in the entire NHL has a core like that, which is also extremely young. That’s why the Pens have the Cup, and will have it alot over the next 10 years. Let’s Go Pens!

Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 12:33 PM ET

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Welcome to The Confluence, a Pittsburgh Penguins blog since 2006. Originally at Blogspot, then at MVN, The Confluence has over 1000 articles reporting Penguins news as well as jumping on my soapbox to opine constructive Penguins criticism. My posts are regularly linked by hockey websites such as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Empty Netters and Yahoo!’s Puck Daddy, and I’ve done guest blogger spots on such websites as the New York Times. I invite you to spend a little time and peruse the archives at all of the sites for some of my better work. I am a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, but don’t confuse me with my fellow Chief at A2Y.

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