Report: Pens willing to pay UFA “handsomely”

It'll be a question of term at the end of the day.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: Pens willing to pay UFA “handsomely”
KeyStone Press

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a big decision to make with pending unrestricted free agent Patric Hornqvist this off-season.

Josh Yohe of The Athletic was asked in a mailbag if there have been contract negotiations to his knowledge between the club and the veteran.

"Not yet, but I expect that to change," Yohe began. "The Penguins don't intend on letting him walk. He'll be 31 in less than a month, so they'd prefer the contract not be longer than three years. But they're willing to pay him handsomely. This is the kind of player you simply don't let walk away, and they won't let that happen."

There was a rumor circulating that the Penguins offered 3 years earlier this fall, and that Hornqvist wants 5 years. While it's unclear if that rumor had any legitimacy to it, it would likely be in line with what the player is asking for. 

Hornqvist will be 31-years-old by the time he hits free agency, and will want security in a contract. It'll be much harder for him to get a deal with term and money if he takes anything short-term at this age.

Sam Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette personally doesn't believe the team will be able to conclude a deal with one of the fans' favorite players.

Who would you rather be right in this case - Yohe, or Mackey?

Source: The Athletic