Penguins, RW Hossa halt talks

OTTAWA (TICKER) —All-Star Marian Hossa may be testing the free-agent waters after all.

After attempting to negotiate a new contract, Hossa and the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins broke off talks, according to team general manager Ray Shero on Saturday.

While trying to strengthen the organization at the 2008 draft at Scotiabank Place, Shero informed the media that he and Hossa have been unable to iron out a new contract. The Slovakian will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, free to work out a deal with any of the league’s 30 teams.

Hossa, who was acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers at the February 26 trade deadline, made $7 million this past season. Earlier this week, reports had Pittsburgh offering the right wing a seven-year, $50 million contract.

“We have to push forward,” Shero said. “Some of our players are becoming free agents. Some are negotiating and some aren’t. That’s OK. We just have to do what’s right for the organization and be sure everything’s the right fit. I like where we are.”

Shero also is looking to re-sign Hart Trophy finalist Evgeni Malkin, who has one year remaining on his current contract. Last week, the Penguins filed for arbitration with Marc-Andre Fleury, preventing the goaltender from becoming a restricted free agent.

After recording 10 points in 12 regular-season games with Pittsburgh, Hossa notched 12 goals and 14 assists in 20 playoff contests, helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals. The 29-year-old finished one tally behind the Detroit Red Wings’ duo of Johan Franzen and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Henrik Zetterberg for the postseason lead and trailed Zetterberg and Penguins teammate Sidney Crosby by one assist for the top spot.

Drafted 12th overall by Ottawa in 1997, Hossa collected 29 goals and 37 assists in 66 games with Atlanta and Pittsburgh this past season. In 701 career contests with the Senators, Thrashers and Penguins, the four-time All-Star has notched 299 tallies and 648 points.