Why the Penguins Should Keep Ruslan Fedotenko

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

If seven goals and 14 points in 24 playoff games is what you would of expected out of Ruslan Fedotenko I would have to call you a crazy man, or the worst Armchair General Manager around. It's pretty impressive when you think Fedotenko only scored 16 goals in 65 games this season.

OK so he is not the kinda guy you're gonna lean on for goal production. Fedotenko is more of a role player and after this past season experts would have to think a pretty valuable one. Let me remind you Fedotenko is a secret weapon of sorts in the playoffs. With 12 goals in 22 games in the '03-'04 run, Feddy netted a two goals in Game Seven to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

When most people think of Ruslan Fedotenko what do they think? Well you tell me because I don't know. Honestly I figured he would be a bust this season for the Pens. But the one thing I think of when I think of Ruslan Fedotenko was that 03-04 run in the playoffs. Now with two Cups, Fedotenko has put himself in a class of "been there done that" veterans, a category every hockey player would love to be in. Remember, Fedotenko played most of the season and all the playoffs on the second line with Malkin.

Today the Penguins signed Craig Adams to a two-year deal. If this will have any affect on Shero's decision to keep Fedotenko around, we will just have to wait and see come July 1.

Other interesting Fedotenko stats. He was never drafted. The Flyers signed him in 1999 and played his first season on the AHL. Playing eight seasons in the NHL with the Flyers, Lightning, Islanders and Penguins. Fedotenko was born in Kiev of the former USSR, which is now the Ukraine. Playing for Team Ukraine in the 2002 Olympics, Fedotenko had one goal in one game and was a +2, one more reason Ray Shero should take a good long look at this 30-year-old. If you ask this Armchair General Manager, I think a short-term deal would make both parties happy.

Let me remind you, two Rings!!

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?