Penguins/NHL
*Some league insiders are questioning how forward Wyatt Smith will fit into the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins locker room.
The Penguins have a very young core coming in with top prospect Eric Trangradi headlining the group.
Smith, 32, has been viewed by some in the know as being a “terrible” veteran in an AHL locker room.
He was viewed very negatively by his teammates during his time with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2007-2008.
*A source close to Mike Zigomanis indicates there is not a deal in place between the Penguins and Zigomanis.
But Pittsburgh is open to bringing Zigomanis back on a two-way deal.
Pittsburgh pulled their offer to Zigomanis on June 30th after signing Craig Adams.
The team then signed Michael Rupp just three hours into free agency, which made a return for Zigomanis even less likely.
Zigomanis is currently considering a number of two way offers. Zigomanis is represented by Kurt Overhardt, who also represents John Curry.
The Latest on Sergei Gonchar
Contract talks with Sergei Gonchar
are expected to heat up later this month/early September. An high ranking official tells me the team is optimistic a deal will be struck before the season opener.
Gonchar’s camp has expressed a strong willingness to take a significant discount on a four year deal
Pittsburgh has been reluctant to go four years to this point and made an initial offer of 3 years worth $9.75 million, which wasn’t declined or accepted.
When talks pick back up, the two sides will begin working off of the Penguins initial offer.
Gonchar has been the Penguins top priority this summer along with Kris Letang.
