A busy Penguins offseason is unlikely to include contract extensions for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Paul Martin. Each player is set to enter the final year of his current contract and can sign an extension at the official start of the new NHL season Tuesday. The Penguins are optimistic they will eventually sign Fleury to a new deal, but talks with his representatives are unlikely to intensify before the regular season. General manager Jim Rutherford has said he is a fan of Fleury, who has won at least 35 games in six of nine seasons since assuming the No. 1 goalie position. Fleury, 29, has expressed a strong desire to remain with the Penguins. He currently carries at $5 million salary-cap hit. Martin, 33, also has a $5 million cap hit — and he was rated by the previous coaching staff as the Penguins top defenseman the past two seasons. However, the Penguins believe Martin prefers to test free agency next summer. Also, Rutherford believes it is time to start playing the most NHL-ready among the franchises crop of top defensive prospects.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 04:43:24 +0000
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