by The Tribune-Review , Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Fedotenko, 30, will earn $1,800,000 next season. He made $2,250,000 last season, which wrapped with his second Cup victory. Bylsma, who increased Fedotenko's responsibilities upon replacing former Penguins coach Michel Therrien on Feb. 15, was quite satisfied with the developments on the third day of the NHL free-agent signing period.

"Being able to put Ruslan back up there on our board ? from a forward standpoint, we were able to keep some guys that were key factors and who did some big things for us," he said.

On Monday the Penguins re-signed veteran wingers Bill Guerin and Craig Adams. Every forward that dressed for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final will return next season except winger Miroslav Satan.

"It says a lot about Billy Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko and Craig Adams to want to come back and be a part of this group," general manager Ray Shero said of the three players that will count a combined $4,350,000 against salary cap next season.

Fedotenko's signing leaves the Penguins $2,957,000 shy of the $56,800,000 salary cap. Shero said yesterday he will try to fill out the defense corps with a free agent, but nothing was imminent. The Penguins are committed to five spots on defense next season, and lost veterans Rob Scuderi (to Los Angeles) and Hal Gill (to Montreal) since the free-agent period opened Wednesday at noon.

"We're still looking for another defenseman, but we're going to maybe wait and see on that," Shero said. "We're in good shape right now. Maybe a trade... but we're going to give some younger guys an opportunity."

Note: Assistant coach Tom Fitzgerald has been promoted to a new role as assistant to the general manager. Fitzgerald, who had been director of player development before joining Bylsma's staff, did not want to spend additional time away from his family in the Boston area. Dan MacKinnon, former director of pro scouting, was named as director of player personnel. ... The Penguins signed defenseman Nate Guenin to a one-year contract. A Sewickley native, Guenin spent most of last season with Philadelphia's AHL team.

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