The Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday opted not to qualify winger Tom Kuhnhackl, making Kuhnhackl a free agent.

Kuhnhackl who will be signing elsewhere, was a strong candidate not to be tendered from the get-go due to the Penguins logjam of left wingers and desire to add more offense to the 4th.

The team, though, did make an attempt to sign Kuhnhackl prior to the qualifying offer deadline.

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford told the Post-Gazette on Tuesday that Kuhnhackl rejected a 2-year offer from the team.