Rumor: Hornqvist's future with the Pens in jeopardy?

The Pittsburgh Penguins has done a good job of keeping its core players in the fold throughout the last few years - but one such player may find himself with a new team next season.

Patric Hornqvist, 30, currently carries a salary cap hit of $4.25 million and is set to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Jim Rutherford doesn't have a ton of cap flexibility going into the summer, and he may very well find himself unable to re-sign last season's Stanley Cup hero.

Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette speculates that Rutherford won't be able to lock him up due to the interest the player will garner on the open market. The sticking point will likely be the term that Hornqvist demands. At his age, like Alex Radulov, cap-strapped teams will be wary about inking a long-term deal to a player exiting his prime.

His gritty and productive style of play will make it tough for Pittsburgh to match offers from other teams, so it might end up being one of those situations where the player either makes a decision based on money and security, or based on loyalty and willingness to win.

Hornqvist has 8 points in 15 games this season, and is on track for a 40 point season like last season. The two previous seasons in Pittsburgh saw him put up over 50 points. 

He is on the decline offensively, but is still a proven and useful player. Assuming Pittsburgh contends this year, he won't be a rental by trade deadline, but he may flee on July 1st.