Pens Free Agency Buzz: Latest on Pascal Dupuis, Craig Adams & Matt Cooke

*Talks have not progressed much between the Penguins and Pascal Dupuis thus far. Dupuis agent Allan Walsh went into talks early last week trying to make the argument that Dupuis is a $5 million a year player and talks have remained challenging. Shero and Walsh met for over 90 minutes on Friday evening with the Penguins hoping to make substantial progress towards a deal, but the meeting left talks at a standstill, team sources say.

Dupuis camp believes the 34 year old could be in line for a 4 year deal in the range of $18-$22 million on the open market. Talks have not been shutdown but the Penguins for a few days now have anticipated Dupuis testing the open market. Teams can begin talking to free agents on July 3rd.

*According to a source, the Penguins are confident in having the framework in place on a new deal for Craig Adams by early in the week. Both sides are confident that there’s a deal to be made. Agent Neil Sheehy arrived in town Saturday and the two sides are expected to get together Sunday/Monday.

*Will the Pascal Dupuis situation impact the Matt Cooke negotiations? Cooke has been holding out for a three year deal with Cooke believing the Carolina Hurricanes are one team out there prepared to offer Cooke three years, an NHL source says. The Penguins have offered Cooke a two year deal.

With Dupuis maybe going elsewhere, will the Penguins go three years at $1.25 million (Cooke’s 2013 salary) per season? It’s been discussed internally I’m told and I believe Cooke would take that deal.

*The Penguins have held no talks with Jarome Iginla, Douglas Murray, Brenden Morrow and Mark Eaton, according to agents for all four players.