Latest on Jagr, Kennedy, Rupp, Dupuis; Suitors for Asham, Talbot

— Re-vised offers to both Mike Rupp and Pascal Dupuis remain on the table and as of late Monday night, neither player has rejected the offers or broken off talks. Discussions are on-going between GM Ray Shero and agent Allan Walsh who represents both players as the two sides try to hammer out a new deal before July 1.

The Penguins remain somewhat optimistic of getting a deal done with both players but feel they are closer to a deal with Dupuis.

The Penguins have yet to make an offer to Jaromir Jagr but will one be coming in the next 24 hours?

Agent Petr Svoboda spoke tonight with Red Wings GM Ken Holland and the Montreal Canadiens who continue to lurk as a possible third team in the mix.

Svoboda is in Montreal negotiating a new deal for defenseman Ramon Hamrlik but some preliminary discussions have been on-going between the Canadiens and Svoboda about Jagr. However, many believe the Jagr, Canadiens speculation is a one-way romance (Jagr).

Meanwhile, Svoboda expects to speak with Penguins GM Ray Shero early tomorrow morning and Jagr’s camp expects to learn whether the Penguins “are all in”.

Expectations are the Penguins will amp up their pursuit of Jagr and would want an agreement from Jagr before July 1. He can’t sign until 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Word out of Red Wings circles is that Jagr wants to join the Penguins.

— There is a very hard read on the Kennedy situation right now. What’s been interesting though, is there’s some positive vibes coming from both sides.

I will say this: Over the weekend as i reported, the Penguins were said to be more optimistic than at anytime since negotiations started and that Kennedy’s demands were somewhat coming down.

However, it still hasn’t been enough and the two sides as of today remain far apart. Now the Penguins have a 72 hour timetable to sign Kennedy or lose him for nothing.

The difficulties for the Penguins is that Kennedy’s now in the drivers seat when it comes to the “term” of a possible new contract.

Before the qualifying deadline, the two sides could not find common ground on talks of 2 years or more.

It’s hard to imagine the two sides bridging that gap in three days and any deal for Kennedy will have to be a multi-year deal. There is no scenario where he will avoid the open market by taking a one year deal with the Penguins.

For Kennedy, another thing to ponder: How does he not take advantage of hitting the open market at age 24, while coming off a 21 goal season?

Kennedy returning is really going to come down his desire to return and both sides making concessions.

Asham heading back to Philadelphia? Strong indicators that there is a mutual interest between the two sides and that Asham’s likely to return to Philadelphia. The Penguins will not make an offer before July 1.

Word out of Max Talbot’s camp is that Talbot is looking for a “fair market deal” and the right situation when he hits the open market on July 1.

Will he consider rebuilding teams or non-playoff teams? Most likely as money talks.

The Florida Panthers are said to have interest in Talbot and GM Dale Taillon is notorious for overpaying players. The team though in the Sunshine state that Talbot would like to join is the Tampa Bay Lightning, sources say.

Two intriguing non-playoff teams with interest in Talbot: Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Others being linked to Talbot include Cup contenders San Jose, Detroit and Montreal.