All reports indicate talks between the Penguins and Sidney Crosby are going well. Crosby has made it known he is willing to take discount for the chance to win a championship in Pittsburgh. There is a rumor out there that the two sides have agreed upon the amount per season and the only minor issue is the amount of years. The NHLPA is pressuring Crosby to agree to the max contract of 10.06 million per season but pressure never gets to Crosby. The Penguins have gone into the negotiations with the logic that they will give Crosby what he wants but here’s the latest buzz regarding The Crosby Contract.

Talks began with an a starting point of a 7 year deal worth 52 million. I’ve been hearing Crosby will settle on a 5 year deal worth 8-8.5 million per season. It’s difficult to get info about the amount per season which the two sides have agreed upon but i can confirm it’s the amount of years which hasn’t been agreed upon just yet. My prediction: announcement Thursday: 6yrs -50 million

I reported about a month ago the Penguins and Marc Andre Fluery’s representatives are expected to talk about a long term extension sometime in August. The latest is Fleury doesn’t want to head into the season without a long term extension. The two sides appear willing to work on a extension as I’ve been told the Lundqvist situation scares the Penguins and they don’t want to go into next season with the possibility of Fleury being eligible for arbitration. A starting point for negotiations could be the deal Cam Ward signed last off-season. Ward will earn $2 million this season, $2.5 million in the 2008-09 season and $3.5 million in 2009-10. Lundqvists is seeking 4.5 – 5 million per season and Fleurys representatives will be watching the Lundqvists situation very closely. More on this later.