With the 2007 NHL Entry Draft just 24 hours away (the first round is in prime-time on Vs, DirecTV channel 608, tomorrow evening at 7pm), and free agency not far behind, the question in Pittsburgh is whether 8 and 10, Recchi and Roberts, will stay or go. Both are unrestricted free agents, free to negotiate with any team after midnight on July 1st.
Roberts waived his no-trade clause in his prior contract to come to Pittsburgh from Florida at the deadline. He has said he wants to be close to his daughter in Toronto, and it was rumored he would only waive the no-trade clause for the Maple Leafs or the Senators. The NHL world was surprised when he landed in Pittsburgh, and many speculate that the Sens failure to get him cost Ottawa GM John Muckler his job early this week when he was fired. (The Sens beat Roberts' Pens in the first round, 4-1, and made it to the Stanley Cup finals, but lost 1-4)
If Toronto or Ottawa is determined to shell out $, they should easily be able to beat what Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero is willing to offer.
As for Mark Recchi, the Pens brought him back for 2006-2007 at the $2.28M that his contract option would have been had it be exercised by Carolina after the Pens had traded him at the deadline. Carolina declining the option allowed Recchi to sign with any team he chose to do so with, even though he had just won the Cup with Carolina, and Recchi gladly took the Pens offer. Recchi had a strong season overall, but he struggled down the stretch. The question is, how much will Recchi be willing to take to stay in Pittsburgh? It is thought that he would have few other suitors, and his offseason home is still in Pittsburgh from when he was here the first time. Ideally he will retire a Pen, but there is yet some life in his legs.
Gut prediction: Roberts gone, Recchi back at a reduced salary.
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