It sure was nice to watch forward Eric Fehr make his black-and-gold debut Saturday night. The Winkler, Alberta native didn’t disappoint, notching a goal and an assist to propel the Penguins to a 4-0 victory over Toronto.
A key free-agent pick up, Fehr missed the first 10 games of the campaign due to off-season elbow surgery. Initially expected to be out until November-December, the 30-year-old proved to be a quick healer.
“I’m really excited,” Fehr told Jason Mackey of the Tribune Review on the eve of his first appearance in a Penguins uniform. “I feel great. I feel like I’ve worked really hard to get to the spot that I’m at now. I just want to get back in there, get caught up to the speed of play and try to contribute any way I can.”
Skating on a revamped fourth line with veteran Matt Cullen and rookie Sergei Plotnikov, the big forward provided an immediate spark. While killing a slashing penalty to Pascal Dupuis early in the second period, Fehr worked a give-and-go with Cullen and struck for a shorthanded tally on his own rebound. At 10:29 he teamed with Cullen again, this time providing the helper.
Fehr’s heroics earned him the No. 2 star and helped the Pens prevail despite a goose egg from superstars Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, and Evgeni Malkin.
It’s precisely the reason GM Jim Rutherford pursued the 10-year NHL vet over the summer—to provide the bottom-six depth vital to a team’s success. The kind that’s been lacking in the ‘Burgh the past few years.
Not that Fehr doesn’t possess some pedigree. A first-round pick of the Capitals in 2003, No. 16 was a two-time 50-goal scorer in junior. While he’s never achieved those lofty heights in the NHL (a career-best 21 goals in 2009-10) Fehr’s versatile, has decent hands, and plays a solid all-around game. Eric also provides a big body up front (6’4” 212), something the Pens have missed since Jordan Staal departed for Raleigh back in 2012.
He makes a great first impression, too.
Scuderi Okay
Rob Scuderi showed no ill effects after being boarded by Maple Leafs forward Rich Clune late in the first period. “Scuds” went on to log 16:43 of ice time and register the second assist on Cullen’s goal.
The veteran defender, who struggled out of the starting gate, has played better of late. Presently paired with Olli Maatta, the Long Island native is a plus-6 during the Pens’ four-game winning streak, including a plus-3 Saturday night.
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