Max Lapierre not expected to return to the Penguins

Center Max Lapierre expressed confidence in April during the Penguins breakup day that he and the team would work something out on a new deal but Lapierre is planning to move on as the Penguins don’t plan to make an offer before July 1.

A league source tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports the Penguins informed Lapierre’s reps at Newport Sports this week that no offer is expected to be made prior to July 1, though, Jim Rutherford’s philosophy is to leave every door open after July 1 with the Penguins pending UFA’s.

Craig Adams is the only pending free agent that Rutherford has publicly said the Penguins have ruled out resigning.