Pens trying to re-sign Fedotenko...Antropov and Zanon?

Fedotenko Update

Ray Shero has been in talks on a new contract for winger Ruslan Fedotenko. Feds signed a 1-yr deal last summer and the new deal will be a 3-yr $2.4 mil a year contract. Feds had his usual 16 goal regular season racking up 39 points in the process. But he was a +18 during the year. And a +9 with 14 pts in 24 games during the playoffs.

Like Max Talbot, Feds seems to come up big in big games, particularly in the playoffs. He meshed very nicely with Geno as the year went on. He started scoring the goals Sykora would score in the slot. The game 5 goal against Wash. to make it 2-2 was an example of that. He's got a great shot and had chances to bury the puck several times in the Detroit series but couldn't finish. He finishes his checks, plays hard and can score when Geno feeds him the puck. He was really coming on before he broke his hand punching Colby Armstrong's nose. It will be nice to see Feds back.


Shero interested in Antropov and Zanon?

Shero had some interest in Antropov at the trade deadline this year but he questioned his work ethic/consistency. Seems to be the problem with all Russians (not named Ovechking/Malkin) over the years. But Antropov is a big guy at 6'6 230 lbs. And he managed to score 28 goals playing for a terrible Leafs team as well as a deflated Rangers team. He skates pretty well for a big man and can hit people. Not to mention he has experience playing with some top notch centers, Mats Sundin. Getting another Russian speaking player will be nice to have around Geno. Gonchar is pretty old and more of a mentor figure, and his buddy Sykora will be packing his bags for the KHL. Antropov rejected a 3 yr $9 mil deal from the Rangers this week and he'll definetely be able to get more in the open market. If his price doesn't go too crazy, Shero will be watching closely.

Pens inquired about Nashville Predators defenseman Greg Zanon at the deadline. But Shero wasn't really desperate for defense as he had 7 guys ready to step in not including Gogo and Lovejoy. But Shero has a tendency to bring guys in from Nashville. Adam Hall and Mark Eaton come to mind. With Gill and Scuderi likely out, a defensive spot will be open. The Pens can't have Gogo and Lovejoy in the lineup at the same time. Plus taking away Scuderi/Gill takes away your two best defensive defenseman. Zanon is a Shero type player. He's fairly small but stocky and a physical defenseman. He was third in the NHL in blocked shots with 237 and collected 153 hits. He made $750k with Nash. this year and he will look for a large increase as well. A Scuderi like increase? Maybe, in that case we're looking in the 2.5-3 mil a yr range. At 29 and only getting better, Zanon would be a nice addition to the Pens.