Penguins/NHL
| 17. Petr Sykora | age: 32 | Salary: $2.5 Million |
Seeking: Three year deal, agent Allan Walsh believes Sykora could command $4 million per season on the open market but would accept a 3 year-deal worth $10.5 million to remain with the Penguins according to sources. Talks with the Penguins have been put off until after the season. Penguins have not shown any indication that they will go three years
Prediction: Tests Free Agency ( gives Pittsburgh opportunity to come close to any offer)
26. Ruslan Fedotenko | age: 29 | Salary: $2.2 million |
Seeking: Allan Walsh the agent for Fedotenko met with Ray Shero three weeks ago to discuss Fedotenko’s future with the team. Both sides indicated they would speak after the season but indications are Fedotenko wants some security including a contract of 2+ years.
Prediction: Tests Free Agency
4. Rob Scuderi | age: 29 | Salary: $ 725K |
Seeking: Defenseman Mark Eaton has set the standard for Rob Scuderi who has a chance to double and maybe even triple amount of money he is currently making. Eaton signed a $2 year –deal worth $4 million in the off-season. A source tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports, Scuderi will receive deals in that neighborhood if he tests the open market. Rangers, Bruins will be in pursuit of Scuderi in free agency. Pittsburgh will make an opportunity to re-sign Scuderi.
Prediction: Test Free Agency
2. Hal Gill | age: 33 | Salary: $2.1 million
Seeking: At age 33 it remains to be seen what kind of market will be out there for Hal Gill but there was interest in Gill at the trade deadline. Pittsburgh would be interested in a one year deal according to sources close to the team.
C Mike Zigomanis | age: 27 | Salary: $ 650K |
Seeking: Zigomanis was a very good pickup prior to having shoulder surgery in January. Pittsburgh will bring him back.
Prediction: Re-signs with Pittsburgh
D Phillipe Boucher | Age: 35 | Salary: $2.5 million |
Seeking: Boucher won’t have much of a market going into free agency. Injury problems have followed him the past couple seasons. Boucher and Pittsburgh will part ways.
Prediction: Test Free Agency
81. Miroslav Satan | Age: 34 | Salary: $3.5 million |
Seeking: Satan who was recently demoted to the AHL will have a tough time finding a job next season. If he decides to stay in the NHL, he will sign for a significantly reduced rate. Pittsburgh and Satan will be parting ways.
Too Early To Call
13. Bill Guerin | Age: 38 | Salary: $4.5 million |
Seeking: It is way too early to speculate whether Bill Guerin will return next season. Guerin is a player that has been on the Penguins radar for the past couple seasons. If everything goes well, Pittsburgh will likely be interested in bringing Guerin back at a lower rate than $4.5 million per season.
27. Craig Adams | Age: 31 Salary: $ 500 k |
Seeking: There are a dime a dozen Craig Adams around the league. We’ll see what happens the rest of the season regarding his future with the team.
Final Word: On the blueline the Penguins will head into next season with Gonchar, Orpik,  Letang, Eaton, Goligoski as locks to make the roster. The Penguins will look to bring back Gill or Scuderi with Scuderi as the teams top priority. Upfront, negotiations with Petr Sykora will begin after the season. Right now I’d say it’s 50-50. I don’t think Pittsburgh is going to go three years, based on the concern of the salary cap and Sykora’s age. He is not a core player.
