UFA Updates (All Day Long!)

ALL SPECULATION at this point (unless otherwise noted "CONFIRMED"):

• 10:40 PM - not much new right now; I think I'm going to call it a night (we'll do this again tomorrow!)
• [UPDATE 9:25 PM] Bob Pompeani is saying that the Pens continue to clear cap space to sign either Scuderi or Fedotenko and to expect either / both Dupuis and / or Godard to be traded
• [UPDATE 8:50 PM] Rossi: Scuderi is "probably" waiting until Thursday to make a decision
• [UPDATE 7:30 PM] CONFIRMED - Garon signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets for 2 years / $2.4 million
• [UPDATE 7:25 PM] TIOPS is reporting that since Havlat and Fedotenko have the same agent, they could possibly be a package deal going to the same team; LA Kings, NY Rangers, and Minnesota are teams that are interested in both players
• [UPDATE 6:50 PM] Its been pretty quiet; no word yet on Scuds
• [UPDATE 6:20 PM] CONFIRMED - Penguins sign defenseman Brian Strait to a 3-year entry-level contract (THANKS for the heads-up, Lex!)
• [UPDATE 6:00 PM] Rossi is reporting that Scuderi said he will hold off on making a decision until Komisarek makes his (he just signed with Toronto)
• [UPDATE 5:55 PM] Mark Eaton's name is floating around now for players being shopped (along with Dupuis and Godard) as they're very serious about keeping Scuderi while keeping Fedotenko in the mix (IDK -- this is reminding me of Hossa; the Pens trying so hard to sign a player and letting others pass them by although, not as many Penguins have left so far)
• [UPDATE 5:45 PM] Rossi: Pens trying to move players to clear cap space for Fedotenko or Scuderi
• [UPDATE 5:05 PM] Rossi says that both Dupuis and Godard were being shopped and that Rupp's signing would confirm this; TIOPS is also reporting that the two are being offered as a "package" to save more than $2 million per season -- they're trying to free up money for Scuderi!!
• [UPDATE 5:00 PM] CONFIRMED - Mike Rupp's contract is for 2 years / $1.65 million
• [UPDATE 4:55 PM] CONFIRMED - ALSO FROM TIOPS, Gill signs 2-year / $4.5 million deal with Montreal; have not yet confirmed this with other sources
• [UPDATE 4:50 PM] CONFIRMED - TIOPS is reporting that Pittsburgh has signed Mike Rupp to a 2-year contract; I have yet to confirm this with any other sources, but will let you know once I do!!
• [UPDATE 4:00 PM] Rossi cannot confirm, but there is speculation that the Pens are shopping Dupuis
• [UPDATE 4:00 PM] Also from Rossi, the longer the day progresses without the Rangers spending money, the more likely they'll be in a good position to acquire Scuderi; if the Pens lose Scuderi, its more likely they'll sign Gill (which we've already heard) with a 1-year deal
• [UPDATE 3:50 PM] Rossi is saying that several Penguins have confirmed that the Penguins "are making concerted push to retain him" (him = Scuderi)
• [UPDATE 3:50 PM] TIOPS is hearing that the Penguins have some interest in goaltender Kevin Weekes (I'd rather have Curry!); TIOPS says that Weekes would battle Curry for the #2 position (only if they sign Curry AND Weekes, right?!)
• [UPDATE 3:35 PM] Garon and Blue Jackets involved in deal (I'm hoping the Pens sign Curry soon -- we NEED a back-up goalie!)
• [UPDATE 3:05 PM] Rossi saying not to give up on Sykora returning (I can live with that!)
• [UPDATE 2:50 PM] CONFIRMED - Knuble went to Washington (THANKS A BUNCH to Dan!)
• [UPDATE 2:35 PM] TIOPS is reporting that sources are saying the Penguins made Knuble an offer (does this mean Tenk isn't returning?); the offer is said to be for 1 year and that he's expected to make a decision this evening
• [UPDATE 2:20 PM] CONFIRMED - It would seem that Hossa hit the jackpot (Karma is taking it easy on him; the Cup must've been enough!); 12 years / $62.4 million - CA-CHING!!!!!
• [UPDATE 2:00 PM] Supposedly, the Islanders and Blues are interested in Garon (as well as Conklin)
• [UPDATE 1:50 PM] CONFIRMED - Hossa is now a Blackhawk (DET wouldn't "pay" him!)!! Karma is a BITCH!!!!! THIS IS NOT TRUE!! I'm hearing now that this is true (thanks to reader, Dan!)!!
• [UPDATE 1:35 PM] Rossi says that the Pens are "optimistic" about keeping Fedotenko and that Scuderi will probably be out of their price range; Penguins are one of the teams in talks with Knuble's representatives, but it appears that the Kings are in the front-running
• [UPDATE 1:30 PM] it seems to be just a waiting game right now even though TIOPS is hearing that the Stars offered Scuderi a 4-year / $13-$14 million deal (which I really find hard to believe), but we'll see soon enough; AS A NOTE: my "Stars Insider" has informed me that they want to stay $11 million below cap, so this wouldn't jive!
• [UPDATE 12:55 PM] TIOPS is reporting that a trade is in the works between Pittsburgh and Calgary
• [UPDATE 12:40 PM] Rossi is reporting that some fellow Pens have said, "Scuds is gone;" Tampa Bay may be in the mix now (Dallas, Minnesota, NY Rangers remain high on the list); supposedly the term was a sticking point with the Fedotenko deal
• [UPDATE 12:30 PM] Minnesota news is reporting that Wild are in talks with Scuderi
• [UPDATE 12:10 PM] Penguins a last-minute deal with Tenk (2-year deal with NTC - "no trade clause"); Minnesota and Phoenix are interested in him and have made inquiries
• [UPDATE 11:55 AM] Fedotenko to test FA; Wild, Stars, and Rangers all interested in Scuderi
• [UPDATE 11:45 AM] Scuderi is said to be highly interested in Minnesota
• [UPDATE 11:30 AM] PER ROSSI, the Pens prefer Fedotenko but will agressively pursue Knuble!! Pens will continue to negotiate with Tenk until the 12 noon deadline.
• [UPDATE 10:40 AM]Scuderi will test FA then go back to the Pens for them to match or something close to his offer(s)
• [UPDATE 10:40 AM] According to Rossi, Gill returning is based on whether or not Scuderi signs (if he doesn't, Gill will be back); neither side is ruling out Sykora's return but he's not happy with the way his post-season benching was handled (I wouldn't be either!); Garon, Boucher, Satan, and Zigomanis are very unlikely to return - Boucher having a slight chance if neither Scuderi or Gill sign
• Gill's camp is trying to ensure his return to Pittsburgh (may have to take at least $500,000 pay cut to do so)
• ALOT of interest in Scuderi; three EC teams have placed upward of $3 million offers on the table

STAY TUNED!!