Penguins/NHL
Veterans preparing for training camp
Many veterans on the team have arrived in Pittsburgh as the Stanley Cup Champions report to training camp on Sept. 12.
Forwards Sidney Crosby, Sergei Gonchar, Chris Kunitz, Bill Guerin and defenseman Jay McKee have been skating for the past week at the Iceoplex complex in preparation for training camp.
Goaltender Brent Johnson has also joined them after he drew some criticism for practicing with members of the Washington Capitals last month at the Capitals practice facility.
Pittsburgh native Christian Hanson of the Toronto Maple Leafs also skated last week with Crosby and co. Hanson is currently participating in the 2009 rookie tournament.
Reese accepts training camp invite to Columbus
Defenseman Dylan Reese of Upper St. Clair, PA, has accepted a training camp invite with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Reese final two choices were Columbus and Chicago.
Contract talks with Sergei Gonchar still in the early stages
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero met with J.P. Barry on Friday as the two sides agreed in early August to meet a week prior to training camp.
The meeting lasted about 45 minutes according to a team source. Talks remain in the early stages and Pittsburgh has yet
to make an official offer. The two sides will touch base again this week and offical offer will be forthcoming by the Penguins.
Sources close to the team tell me, the Penguins are expected to make an initial offer of two years in the $7-$8 million range.
Pittsburgh has been hopeful to strike a deal before the regular season begins. There has been talk that Gonchar is seeking a three year extension in return for a lesser salary.
Pittsburgh is not against a three year extension at the right price, I’m told. Although, they would prefer to go two years due to the implications of the cap hit, if Gonchar were to retire before the end of his deal.
