As first reported earlier this week, you can scratch Jay McKee off the list of pending unrestricted free agent defensemen that could sign with the Penguins before July 1.
McKee will test free agency and not negotiate with the Pens before July 1, according to sources in McKee’s camp.
That leaves Sergei Gonchar, Mark Eaton and Jordan Leopold as possibilities to re-sign before July 1.
Pens GM Ray Shero intensified talks late this week with the likes of Sergei Gonchar and Matt Cooke but not with Jordan Leopold.
The agent for Jordan Leopold has spoken with Shero this week but according to a contact in Leopold’s camp, they “really don’t have any idea if he {Jordan Leopold} will be back.”
There is a thought that Leopold is in the Penguins plans but at this point Leopold’s future with the Penguins remains very much unclear.
The Penguins have yet to hold substantive talks with Leopold’s agent or establish any parameters. It’s believed that Leopold has an interest in returning to Pittsburgh.
The Penguins traded a 2nd round pick in 2010 to the Florida Panthers for Leopold.
Leopold, 29, had 11 goals and 15 assists in 2009-2010. He made $1.75 million last season.