NHL: Cooke's role as a leader could lead to an extended stay in PIT

Ray Shero values leadership in the locker room

Although nothing is on the forefront, look for the Penguins and winger Matt Cooke to discuss a contract extension at some point in the upcoming season.

Cooke who prefered to sign with an Eastern Conference team last summer due to the less travel time, has no interest in moving his family and would love to stay in Pittsburgh long-term.

Cooke will make a salary of $1.2 million this season and is not seeking much of a raise over his current salary.

Cooke is very popular among his teammates and became a vocal leader in the room.

With Pittsburgh losing key locker room leaders in Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill to free agency, and the fact that Billy Guerin may only be around another year or two, Cooke will be a priority for Pittsburgh to keep beyond the 2009-2010 season.

Ray Shero showed a strong interest in signing Max Talbot to an extension last year because of Talbot's role as a leader on the team after Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts and Georges Laraque left via free agency.

Cooke, 30, had 13 goals for 31 points, including 101 penalty minutes last year.

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