Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero signed a one-season contract Friday afternoon with veteran winger Aaron Asham. The deal with the 10-year veteran NHL player is worth $700,000 and it was arranged that in September Asham will join the group of 12 NHL regular forwards at training camp, which Shero anticipates will be very competitive with winger Eric Tangradi and forward Dustin Jeffrey pushing for spots.
However, if the Penguins decide to bring back right wing Bill Guerin, the chances of either Tangradi or Jeffrey starting the NHL season will be much lower. “I told our coaches we'll make a decision on Billy next week,” Shero said. “I've spoken with his agent the past couple of days.”
According to the Penguins projections, $1.7 million will be available in cap space with 12 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies on the list. This means that Bill Guerin, who during last NHL season scored 21 goals, would have to accept a pay cut from his $2 million salary last season in order to return to the hockey team.
On the other hand, 32—year-old Asham, who can play either wing, scored 10 goals to go with 24 points and 126 penalty minutes during last season. “He plays a style we like to play, a blend of physicality and skill,” general manager Shero commented about the