THIS JUST IN (Update on Orpik Deal)

The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports has recently posted an update on the Orpik deal that could be a beneficial edge for the Pens to sign him.

Orpik has a partial NTC [no trade clause] agreement that allows him to pick some cities.

TIOPS's "sources" are telling them that Pittsburgh is really pushing to close the deal with Orpik "and have made a revised offer of 5yrs that will pay Orpik 3.6 million annually."

If TIOPS's "sources" prove to be legitimate, it sounds like a start of the good news we've been waiting on! This revised deal appears to be one that would appeal to Orpik; and with a partial NTC in his agreement, it could give us the advantage we need.

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT PENS FANS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO ROTTING TEETH FROM 5 MORE YEARS OF "FREE" CANDY?

I guess we'll know soon enough (I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve - don't you?!)!

UPDATE: HockeyBuzz.com is also adding to the speculation by posting, "Orpik staying in Pittsburgh? Now it's looking like Brooks Orpik could remain a Penguin after all."

And although TIOPS thinks that there are teams willing to offer him $4 - $4.25 million and if he doesn't sign the contract by the start of free agency then he is gone, I don't feel all hope is lost just yet because the "hometown discount" hasn't been taken into consideration (couldn't $3.6 million be a reasonable discount for Pittsburgh if Orpik is offered $4 million elsewhere?).