Source: Penguins trying to work out a deal with Bill Guerin before July 1

Latest developments on the Bill Guerin front

On the free agency front, the Pittsburgh Penguins efforts will turn to Sergei Gonchar, Dan Hamhuis and Bill Guerin on Monday.

Pittsburgh is waiting for a decision from Gonchar on whether he intends to move forward on a potential deal, while preliminary talks with Wade Arnott, the agent for Dan Hamhuis will begin Monday.

The other priority for the Penguins before July 1, is 39 year old winger Billy Guerin, Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned.

Pens GM Ray Shero had multiple discussions with Guerin’s agent Bob Murray over the weekend in Los Angeles.

According to a source close to the situation, the Penguins have informed Guerin that they want him back but can’t match his $2 million a year salary at this time.

Talks are expected to turn into negotiations on Monday, sources close to Guerin’s camp tell me.

Guerin’s first priority is to remain with the Penguins but it’s unknown how much of a discount he is willing to take.

The Penguins fully intend to make Guerin an official offer, likely as early as tomorrow. Specifics are unknown but it is believed that the Penguins will propose a deal somewhere in the low $1 million range with performance bonuses that could make the deal worth as much as $2 million per season.

Last season Pittsburgh proposed a performance-laid en deal but Guerin declined, opting to help out the Penguins cap situation.

Guerin, 39, had 21 goals and 45 points last season. In the playoffs, Guerin was 5th on the team with 9 points in 11 games.