Penguins, Matt Niskanen will not engage in contract talks until a new coach is hired, source says

Contract talks between the Penguins and Matt Niskanen are on hold for now. The Penguins, Niskanen WILL NOT engage in contract talks until a new coach is hired, two sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports.

Who the Penguins new head coach is, will be the main factor in whether Niskanen strongly considers resigning in Pittsburgh. The Penguins hiring John Hynes and retaining Hynes close friend Todd Reirden would go a long way towards retaining Niskanen.

The Penguins will begin coaching interviews Monday and ideally GM Jim Rutherford would like to have the process wrapped up by seven to ten days, sources say.

The NHL Draft is June 27th but of importance is the free agency interview process that begins June 25 -30. Therefore, Niskanen and other pending UFA’s will be permitted to talk to other teams and this is where deals are going to be made, though, the NHL claims numbers aren’t permitted to be discussed.

Niskanen intends to get to this period and take a couple visits, a source says.