Report: Update on Hornqvist contract negotiations

The Pittsburgh Penguins are at the center of the rumor mill, but their issues run both externally and internally.

Patric Hornqvist is on the last year of his deal and Jim Rutherford may be in tough to re-sign the life and soul of the team. There's a rumor floating around that the Penguins offered Hornqvist 3 years at $5.5 million, but his agent is demanding 5 years.

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addresses this rumor, stating that while he hasn't heard of this specific info himself, he would be weary of offering 5 years. 

"I could have missed it, but I have not heard anything similar," Mackey writes. "To your point, I would first try to go four. That fifth year worries me. You're also not negotiating in a vacuum. Does he have five from somewhere else? That skews things."

As Mackey points out, once Hornqvist reaches the free agent negotiation window prior to July 1st, other teams can come out with a 5 year offer. With more and more veterans having their careers cut short in favor of young players on entry-level contracts, unrestricted free agents with value seek the best possible term to assure job and financial security.

Will Hornqvist opt for the best possible contract, or will he make a sacrifice to remain with the Penguins, should they offer him less than the open market?