And RUUTU

This morning, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured an article on Jarkko Ruutu, " Penguins Free Agency: Ruutu understands Shero's tactics, plight" in which he 'reiterated his desire to remain with the Penguins --'

"Pittsburgh is a great team and, hopefully, we can work something out" -- and said that the Malone-Roberts trade did nothing to change that.

And when asked where he saw himself fit in to the Penguins lineup next season, he was quick to answer Dave Molinari with his Ruutu wit that I've come to LOVE, "First-line right wing," he said.

The article continued by touching on other aspects of his UFA:

Shero has, until now, taken a fairly low-key approach to trying to re-sign most of his free agents. Ruutu, who came to the Penguins from Vancouver as an unrestricted free agent two years ago, noted that waiting until a deadline looms is a common negotiating strategy.

"I kind of expected it," he said. "I've been through stuff like this before." While that approach leaves little time for give-and-take, Ruutu isn't sure that's a bad thing.

"You have to put your best offer out there, and that's it," he said. Ruutu reiterated his desire to remain with the Penguins -- "Pittsburgh is a great team and, hopefully, we can work something out" -- and said that the Malone-Roberts trade did nothing to change that.

"It's part of the business," Ruutu said. "Every team, it happens."

Ruutu, who made $1.15 million in each of the past two seasons, is one of hockey's top antagonists and bolstered his bargaining leverage by playing well in the stretch drive and playoffs.

Even if the sides agree on money, the length of a deal could be a point of contention for him. The Penguins generally make long-term commitments only to players who are part of the team's core, but Ruutu, who will be 33 Aug. 23, might seek more than a season or two on what could be his final NHL contract.

Still, Ruutu insists he won't take it personally if he can't find common ground with the Penguins, just as Shero says he doesn't when players who qualify for free agency elect to see what they can get on the open market.

"It's a business for them," Ruutu said. "Just like it is for me."