Penguins/NHL
Ben Lovejoy will make $500,000 this season on a two-way contract. Lovejoy will enter the season as the Penguins #7 defenseman, unless the team brings in another veteran defenseman.
As we mentioned prior to free agency, Lovejoy’s camp was eyeing a one way contract but Pittsburgh never offered one.
In the end, Lovejoy’s representatives felt this was the best option for landing a one-way contract next season.
John Curry’s camp has been pushing for
a two year deal along with a one way contract. This could lead to the two sides settling on a one-year deal but a source with Curry’s camp told me, “we are discussing many concepts of a new deal”.
There should be some movement on this front soon.
Pittsburgh is in a holding pattern with veteran goaltenders Kevin Weekes and Curtis Sanford. The team has made an offer to Sanford. They would like an answer soon but Sanford is holding out for a one-way contract.
He’s not going to get one, so the team will wait atleast until next week, before moving on.
As for Kevin Weekes, like Sanford he is also holding out for a one-way contract. He is very interested in Pittsburgh and is close friends with Matt Cooke.
There has been talks between the two sides since early July.
Weekes is meeting with his agent Allan Walsh on Monday in Toronto. It was believed Weekes was headed to Chicago but things may have changed now that Dale Tallon was removed as general manager.
Weekes has been training hard and his knee is believed to be close to 100% health.
Pittsburgh could explore others options down the road but for the now the team is mostly in on Sanford and Weekes.
Upfront the Penguins are comfortable going into the season with what they have, although they will explore potential training camp invites. They would still like to bring in another veteran blueliner on a two-way contract.
