from Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,
The Penguins are believed to have a five-year offer worth $7 million per season on the table for Hossa. That’s less than he will command if he ventures into free agency, but as of last night, he still had not rejected it.
While the Penguins would have preferred to have Hossa’s answer long before this, there’s reason to think they might not close the door on re-signing him even if he hasn’t committed to return by midday....
The outlook for the second-most prominent of the Penguins’ 10 unrestricted free agents, defenseman Brooks Orpik, remains as hazy as that of Hossa.
Orpik, the most consistent and punishing hitter on the Penguins’ blue line, could be in line for offers of $4 million or more per season if he makes himself available to other clubs. That’s more than the Penguins are believed to be willing to pay.
