Penguins/NHL
Latest Penguins Free Agency Buzz
The NHL Free Agency Window opened at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday and calls have been coming in on Penguins center Nick Bonino.
While the Penguins have made a Bonino a top priority and both sides continue to have “good discussions”, the ball is more in the Penguins court of whether they’re willing to stretch a bit to make a deal happen.
“A lot of interest [hide] with regards to Nick,” Bonino’s agent Peter Fish told TIOPS on Monday morning. “I’ve had good discussions with Jim Rutherford and they are trying to figure things out.”
As many as six teams with serious interest have made inquiries into Bonino and the Montreal Canadiens who have been trying to trade for Bonino’s rights are among the clubs front and center with significant interest, though, I don’t get the sense Montreal tops Bonino’s wishlist.
League sources say the Penguins tried to move a salary at the draft to put themselves in better position to retain Bonino but couldn’t close the deal.
The Penguins, though, are not just standing at the aisle alone.
They’ve reached out to Brian Boyles camp and had a discussion Sunday with Martin Hanzal’s reps at Newport Sports on Sunday, though, I don’t see that one coming together.
There’s been internal discussions about Sam Gagner, though, the sense is the Penguins see him more as a winger.
A Penguins source says there’s also a ‘trade option’ they could move on to fill the center void.
“We have options,” the source said.
More Buzz
At the draft, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford and Rich Curran the agent for Trevor Daley held discussions and the two sides have exchanged ball park numbers of what each side is thinking.
The Penguins have made it known they want Daley back, likely on a two year deal. The Daley camp wanted to explore the free agent window before getting back to the Penguins.
— Joe Thornton , San Jose Sharks – A lot of buzz about Pittsburgh and Thornton but for now that talk is just driven by fans and bloggers and there’s no real evidence of a strong mutual interest yet. The suspicion is from many NHL folks that Thornton won’t go Cup chasing. Thorton’s brother John who is Joe’s agent, told every team Sunday that called and there were 10+ teams to make inquires, what they’ve been telling the San Jose Sharks for months:
Thornton wants a three year deal and a prominent top-6 role.
Chris Kunitz – A lot of calls from playoff teams, per a source. Kunitz eyes a two year deal and so far in the early stages it looks like his market will command that. Toronto, Boston, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks among 6-7 teams with interest. I think he’ll be selective and could consider a one year deal for only Pittsburgh and Chicago where his wife is from and live their during the summer.
Michael Stone, Calgary Flames – Hearing there was a reach out from the Penguins on Stone as a buy-low candidate were Daley to sign elsewhere.[/hide]
