Stanley Cup hero to depart Penguins this summer

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford will have a tough decision to make on a fan and team-favorite player prior to July 1st.

As it has been previously discussed, Patric Hornqvist's impending unrestricted free agent status is proving to be one of the big storylines during the 2017-18 season.

We mentioned this afternoon that a rumor is circulating that Hornqvist may be seeking 5 years at roughly $5.5 million a season, and it's very unlikely that Rutherford hands out that kind of contract, despite the player's importance to the team.

Jason Mackey, a reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shared an ominous thought regarding the contract situation.

"I don't think so," Mackey said in response to the question asking if Hornqvist will re-sign in Pittsburgh. "I think he commands a lot of money on the open market, and he gets it elsewhere. Sadly, for the Penguins and their fans."

Hornqvist, who scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in 2017 against the Nashville Predators, is having an excellent season, posting 11 goals and 9 assists for 20 points in 26 games so far. The 30-year-old right winger is a valuable commodity and as Mackey speculates, he will have no shortage of suitors on the open market. With Pittsburgh's tight cap situation, they may not be able to match an offer from a rival team.

It'll be up to Hornqvist to choose between money and term versus loyalty to the Penguins.