Pens Morning Buzz: Assistant coaches Granato, Reirden close to receiving new deals

Morning Tidbits

*There will likely be no changes to Dan Bylsma’s coaching staff for the 2011-2012 season. As expected, the Penguins intend to bring back assistant coaches Tony Granato and Todd Reirden and both coaches are close to receiving new deals.

Pens GM Ray Shero tells the Tribune-Review that he would like to extend the contracts of both coaches within the next week.

Granato signed a two year deal in the summer of 2009 and has developed a very close relationship with Dan Bylsma.

Reirden replaced Mike Yeo this past season and meshed extremely well with Bylsma and Granato. Reirden was an excellent fit in the locker room and some inside the organization have indicated that he played a big role in the development of Kris Letang last season.

I intend to touch base on this much more indepth later on Friday but the Penguins have found themselves in tougher negotiations than expected with some of their notable role players (Adams, Rupp) who the team felt would be easier signs.

As I reported last week, talks between Craig Adams and the Penguins broke off for the short-term after the two sides were not able to hammer out a deal on Wednesday of last week.

The Penguins went into talks with Adams early last week with the intention of working out a deal.

Adams who made $550,000 last season, is seeking what his camp indicates is a “fair market deal”. His asking price is in excess of $800,000.

Meanwhile, exploratory talks with Mike Rupp’s agent Allan Walsh have been categorized as “difficult” according to sources. Walsh I’m told is playing hardball at this point with free agency still weeks away.

Walsh is said to be seeking a 3 year deal for Rupp with an asking price a little bit “too steep” for the Penguins.

Both Rupp and Adams had been considered the most likely Penguins to resign and there continues to be optimism in Pens circles that deals for both players will eventually be worked out and asking prices will come down.

Notes: The team has yet to engage in any discussions with reps for Max Talbot. Talbot’s camp isn’t expecting to hear from the Penguins until after the team’s pro scouting meetings (June 6-8).

There has also been no discussions UFA Arron Asham and RFA Dustin Jeffrey.