The Latest on Penguins Free Agency Situation

The big news yesterday was that the Penguins did not extend a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Tyler Kennedy (they had until 5:00 PM yesterday to do so).  This will make him an unrestricted free agent come Friday. 

At first glance, it doesn't look likely that TK will be back in Pittsburgh next season; however, according to Pittsburgh Tribune Review's Rob Rossi, Penguins GM Ray Shero made this move to avoid arbitration (and alot of precious time being tied up).

"We want clarity in this situation. By doing this we get the most clarity," Shero said. "An arbitration hearing can go into early August. We want to know what's going on before then."

"(Kennedy) wants to come back," Shero said. "And we certainly want him back."

Shero's plan, again according to Rossi, is to re-sign Kennedy and sign Jaromir Jagr to a one-year deal BEFORE FRIDAY.  He's also hoping to re-sign one or both free agents Mike Rupp and / or Pascal Dupuis before free agency comes into play on Friday at 12 noon.

Shero also confirmed to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that a three-year deal was offered to unrestricted free agent Max Talbot who ultimately turned it down and will be testing free agency come Friday.  This doesn't look good for Talbot returning in black and vegas gold next season although there could be a small glimmer of hope in the fact that Shero hasn't publicly announced that he wouldn't be signed as he did with Mike Comrie and Alexei Kovalev.  A few weeks ago, it was reported by RDS.ca that Talbot would be interested in playing for Montreal if he doesn't sign with the Pens.

In other Penguins free agency news, two of Pittsburgh's AHL players will be playing for another country come next season.

According to Jonathan Bombulie (WBS Baby Pens beat writer for Citizens Voice), goaltender John Curry has signed with the Germany's Hamburg Freezers.  Bombulie conducted a Q&A with Curry last week who was vacationing with his family.  CLICK HERE TO READ IT.

WBS Baby Pens defenseman Steve Wagner was also signed by a German team - the Adler Mannheim Eagles signed him on June 9th.

So here's how the free agency list for Pittsburgh looks as it stands now:

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
ADAMS, Craig (SIGNED June 9, 2011)
ASHAM, Arron
COMRIE, Mike (WILL NOT BE SIGNED)
CONNER, Chris
CRAIG, Ryan (SIGNED June 13, 2011)
CURRY, John (SIGNED June 16, 2011 - Hamburg Freezers, Germany)
DUPUIS, Pascal
ENGELLAND, Deryk (SIGNED January 3, 2011)
GODARD, Eric (WILL NOT BE SIGNED; will test free agency)
HADDAD, Joey (06/27/11-was not given a qualifying offer as RFA)
HUTCHINSON, Andrew
JOHNSON, Nick (SIGNED June 4, 2011)
KENNEDY, Tyler (06/27/11-was not given a qualifying offer as RFA)
KOVALEV, Alexei (WILL NOT BE SIGNED)
LETESTU, Mark (SIGNED January 18, 2011)
POTTER, Corey
RUPP, Mike
STERLING, Brett
TALBOT, Max
WAGNER, Steve (SIGNED June 9, 2011 - Adler Mannheim Eagles, Germany)
WALLACE, Tim

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
JEFFREY, Dustin (RECEIVED QUALIFYING OFFER FROM PENS 06/27/11)
THIESSEN, Brad (RECEIVED QUALIFYING OFFER FROM PENS 06/27/11)