Penguins/NHL
Less than an hour into free agency, I was told the Penguins were shopping Pascal Dupuis and Eric Godard as a package deal to clear space. After the signing of Michael Rupp that is the two case as the Penguins look to clear salary.
They held talks with the Calgary Flames earlier in the day.
The team is even shopping Mark Eaton and his $2 million per season salary as they attempt to re-sign Rob Scuderi or a forward in free agency.
Toronto continues to express an interest in Chris Kunitz but at this point, Pittsburgh has no interest in moving him.
On the forward front the team continues to have discussions with Allan Walsh the agent for Ruslan Fedotenko.
Three forwards the team has held preliminary discussions with are
Petr Sykora, Ales Kotalik and Alexei Kovalev. Right now the Penguins are out of Kovalev’s price range who remains in play with the Canadiens, believe it or not.
To entice Kovalev to take a lower salary, I’m told Pittsburgh would have to offer a third year and all the Penguins can offer is $3 million per season. Likely not going to get it done but we’ll keep an eye on it.
Kovalev has two year offers on the table but they are believed to be worth up to $4 million per season, so the Penguins would have to add an extra year to make it work.
I just don’t see it happening and it’s ownership being the ones showing interest, not Shero.
Pittsburgh inquired about Taylor Pyatt earlier in the day and yesterday were having internal discussions about Todd Bertuzzi. A source would not rule him out if the Penguins missed out on Fedotenko.
On the defensive front, Pittsburgh is waiting to receive word from Rob Scuderi. He is reviewing his offers and may not make a decision until tomorrow.
It has put Pittsburgh in a holding pattern.
Two other names getting some play are Philippe Boucher and Jay McKee.
On the goaltending front Pittsburgh has inquired about Kevin Weekes.
