Rumor: Stanley Cup champion available on the market!

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 currently carries a salary cap hit of $4.25 million and is eligible for unrestricted free agency 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 30 years old, like Alex Radulov, cap-strapped teams will be wary about inking a long-term deal to a player exiting his prime.

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

His gritty style and offensive consistency will create a strong market for the veteran forward. Assuming Pittsburgh remains a strong Stanley Cup contender this year, he won't be a rental by trade deadline, but he may flee on July 1st.