NHL free agency opens at noon, and the Penguins’ clear plan is to allow all of their players in the unrestricted category — notably Paul Martin, Christian Ehrhoff and Blake Comeau — to test the open market, though Jim Rutherford has made equally clear his hope that at least Comeau will return.
Beyond that?
Remains to be seen, obviously, though Josh Yohe and I will follow the process all through the day and night, including staying in touch with the local franchise’s front office for tips.
To repeat from Josh’s reporting earlier in the week, Michael Frolik, formerly of Winnipeg, will be the Penguins’ top target in free agency, though there remains the strong — maybe very strong — possibility that they’ll also continue pursuing trades, all in hopes of adding a top-six winger or two.
Update 11:42 a.m. from Josh: It’s almost noon, so action is about to heat up. I’m hearing the Penguins are very much interested in Alexander Semin, which I’m sure will create a mixed reaction from fans, should such a signing be made. At least Rutherford wouldn’t figure to give him $7 million per season this time.
11:57 a.m. from Josh: There is no doubt that the Penguins remain in on trade talks involving Phil Kessel. It seems not many other teams are interested, as the Penguins and Leafs continue to talk. Stay tuned.
11:58 from DK: Here’s the full NHL free agency list. No Mike Richards, of course.
Noon from DK: And off we go. Or, I should say, off they go, as in all of the Penguins’ own free agents. Out on the market, very much as expected.
12:15 p.m. from Josh: Thomas Greiss has signed with the Islanders for two years and $3 million. The plan is for the Penguins to use Jeff Zatkoff in the backup role this season, with Matt Murray waiting in the wings in Wilkes-Barre.
12:16 p.m. from Josh: And there goes Taylor Chorney to Washington for one year. That’s for $700,000, but it’s also a one-way term, which is crucial for a minor-league veteran.
12:31 from DK: Yesterday, Viktor Tikhonov, one of the Penguins’ two KHL targets, told Russian outlets he’d narrow his field of NHL teams to five. Now, according to Canada’s SportsNet, he’s closing in on a contract with the Blackhawks.
12:39 from DK: Martin to Sharks sounding imminent, per ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. I never believed for a second that the Penguins’ recent talks with Martin were anything other than bracing for the possibility they’d move a young defenseman in a trade.
12:41 from DK: And there he goes: Martin to the Sharks for four years.
12:43 from Josh: Can’t believe talks between Martin and Penguins were ever serious. The consummate professional. He’ll make San Jose better. Of course, he wants to win a Cup. Not sure that’s the best destination for him in that regard.
12:45 from Josh: And there goes Blake Comeau to Colorado on a three-year deal with a $2.4 million AAV. That’s more than triple his $700,000 salary from the Penguins last season.
12:50 p.m. from Josh: Steve Downie has signed in Arizona, one year at $1.75 million. He made $1 million with the Penguins. Five Penguins are gone 50 minutes into free agency.
12:53 from DK: Tikhonov to the Blackhawks on a one-year deal. Sounds like Frolik is about to sign with the Flames.
Blake Comeau scored 16 goals in 2014-15 but missed a quarter of the season to a broken wrist. -- GETTY
July 1, 2015
Penguins lose Martin, Comeau, Downie, more
by Dejan Kovacevic • Coverage • Penguins
NHL free agency opens at noon, and the Penguins’ clear plan is to allow all of their players in the unrestricted category — notably Paul Martin, Christian Ehrhoff and Blake Comeau — to test the open market, though Jim Rutherford has made equally clear his hope that at least Comeau will return.
Beyond that?
Remains to be seen, obviously, though Josh Yohe and I will follow the process all through the day and night, including staying in touch with the local franchise’s front office for tips.
To repeat from Josh’s reporting earlier in the week, Michael Frolik, formerly of Winnipeg, will be the Penguins’ top target in free agency, though there remains the strong — maybe very strong — possibility that they’ll also continue pursuing trades, all in hopes of adding a top-six winger or two.
Update 11:42 a.m. from Josh: It’s almost noon, so action is about to heat up. I’m hearing the Penguins are very much interested in Alexander Semin, which I’m sure will create a mixed reaction from fans, should such a signing be made. At least Rutherford wouldn’t figure to give him $7 million per season this time.
11:57 a.m. from Josh: There is no doubt that the Penguins remain in on trade talks involving Phil Kessel. It seems not many other teams are interested, as the Penguins and Leafs continue to talk. Stay tuned.
11:58 from DK: Here’s the full NHL free agency list. No Mike Richards, of course.
Noon from DK: And off we go. Or, I should say, off they go, as in all of the Penguins’ own free agents. Out on the market, very much as expected.
12:15 p.m. from Josh: Thomas Greiss has signed with the Islanders for two years and $3 million. The plan is for the Penguins to use Jeff Zatkoff in the backup role this season, with Matt Murray waiting in the wings in Wilkes-Barre.
12:16 p.m. from Josh: And there goes Taylor Chorney to Washington for one year. That’s for $700,000, but it’s also a one-way term, which is crucial for a minor-league veteran.
12:31 from DK: Yesterday, Viktor Tikhonov, one of the Penguins’ two KHL targets, told Russian outlets he’d narrow his field of NHL teams to five. Now, according to Canada’s SportsNet, he’s closing in on a contract with the Blackhawks.
12:39 from DK: Martin to Sharks sounding imminent, per ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. I never believed for a second that the Penguins’ recent talks with Martin were anything other than bracing for the possibility they’d move a young defenseman in a trade.
12:41 from DK: And there he goes: Martin to the Sharks for four years.
12:43 from Josh: Can’t believe talks between Martin and Penguins were ever serious. The consummate professional. He’ll make San Jose better. Of course, he wants to win a Cup. Not sure that’s the best destination for him in that regard.
12:45 from Josh: And there goes Blake Comeau to Colorado on a three-year deal with a $2.4 million AAV. That’s more than triple his $700,000 salary from the Penguins last season.
12:50 p.m. from Josh: Steve Downie has signed in Arizona, one year at $1.75 million. He made $1 million with the Penguins. Five Penguins are gone 50 minutes into free agency.
12:53 from DK: Tikhonov to the Blackhawks on a one-year deal. Sounds like Frolik is about to sign with the Flames.