It’s looking increasingly likely that the Penguins won’t sign either of them before the beginning of free agency tomorrow.

Which isn’t surprising, or necessarily discouraging.

Gonchar hasn’t flat out rejected the Pens or announced he’s going to look somewhere else, so if you want him back that has to be a good sign. He knows the 2 year deal is the best Pittsburgh can/will do, now it’s all a matter of who might give him 3-4 years and will that team be good/good fit for him.

Hamhuis is still taking the pitch into consideration and only days away from the open market. It’d be foolish if he did sign, why not see what offers are out there? Still have no reason to believe Pittsburgh doesn’t have the inside track, the Pens have everything to offer that he wants (role, money, competitive team) except living on the west coast, which his agent said wasn’t a huge concern.

So we’ll see. Probably another day of the waiting game. I’m not concerned or surprised.

Tuesday night, Shero described his interaction with the Hamhuis camp as “ongoing discussions,” and rejected a suggestion that they could be characterized as negotiations.

This paragraph puts the nail in the coffin for me. It sounds like they haven’t even reached anything financial, and that Hamhuis is still deciding whether he’d even want to play for us.

I think the suspense is driving us all nuts..it’s depressing, though.

I guess we need to hope for the best
But prepare for the worst.

I was just thinking about this — can UFA’s sign with other teams starting at 12 AM on July 1st? Or is there a clause that says it starts at 9 AM or something.

Goddamn athletes.

Ok, raise your hand if you think Shero is going to seriously tell the Media ANYTHING during negotiations like this? I, for one, do not think he would divulge any useful info when it comes to talking contracts with Gonchar and Hamhuis (or anybody for that matter). The media, and the fans, are on a need to know basis and honestly…nobody needs to know until that little text from the Penguins comes saying who is signed.

Don’t put any weight into the papers. With that being said, let the rumor mill run!

Plan for the worst

Have to believe at this point that we won’t have either next season.

Eh if Hooks isn’t concerned than neither am I – LOL

’zactly:

(Kovy was) unused to the team-first, me-second mentality the organization lives and dies by.

rumor has it that talks have completely broken off and 55 has agreed to have his rights traded — provided its to a team he likes
and that Shero has contacted Leopold and that there is a pretty good chance Leopold is signed in the next 24 hours

just the latest “buzz”
but it makes sense —sort of expected this all along

anyone getting the hunch that Leo will be signed by breakfast tomorrow?
2 years, 3.75M?

The waiting game it’s what is all about for good managers. You don’t want to throw any more money than you have to, unless you are the Rangers. The palyers know it the GMs know it, who can blame them, it’s business. Not sports. After the dust settles it’s sports. Billy G has been around a long time, he’ll see if there’s anything out there, then the Pens will maybe come up with something or not, but it’s in his best interest as a professional to do it. Anyone else would do the same I hope if somebody offer them more money to do the same job. He already has the cup rings, and doesn’t have much time left to make money. Gonchar the same way. Folks we just have to wait and trust our man.

If Shero signs Leopold I’m questioning Shero and his intention of improving the defense. Having another puck moving defensemen isn’t good for this team. They locked up Letang and Goligoski for a reason. Maybe Shero should start to believe in them. He can’t continue to trade away draft picks and young players (Caputi) to get so called cheap but good replacement. (Ponikarovsky) Sooner or later he has to trust the young guys (Letang, Goligoski, Lovejoy, Johnson, Jeffrey and Tangradi