Center Brandon Sutter will not file for arbitration, Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned. By not filing, Sutter leaves open the slim possibility of an offer sheet, though, the Penguins and Sutter engaged in contract negotiations this week and there is optimism from both sides that a new deal will be reached soon.

Sutter received a qualifying offer of $2.7 million that was declined. Negotiations this week between Sutter and the Penguins have centered around a term of 4 years, though, a short-term deal has not been ruled out and is believed to be preferred by the Sutter camp.
Sutter is a year away from unrestricted free agency and figures to cost the Penguins at least $4 million per season on any deal that takes away years of unrestricted free agency.
The deadline to file for arbitration is 5:00 p.m. today. Forward Nick Spaling officially filed for arbitration on Friday.

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