Penguins deal Tyler Kennedy to Sharks; beneficial for Dupuis negotations?
NEWARK -- Two days after the Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed Chris Kunitz to a 3-year extension, word came out via Rob Rossi of the Tribune-Review that negotiations with unrestricted-free-agent-to-be Pascal Dupuis weren't going so well.
From Rossi:
The Penguins and winger Pascal Dupuis are far apart on a contract that would prevent him from becoming a free agent Friday.
Shero and Allan Walsh, Dupuis' agent, met Friday. However, the Penguins believe Dupuis will test the open market — that is why they signed winger Chris Kunitz to a three-year contract Thursday.
Before Sunday's NHL Draft kicked off, Shero improved his chances of re-signing Dupuis by dealing forward Tyler Kennedy to the San Jose Sharks for one of their two second round picks, No. 50 overall. Shero said earlier Sunday that a change of scenery might do Kennedy some good, according to the Post Gazette's Dave Molinari.
Dealing away Kennedy, a restricted agent, frees up about $2 million for Shero to use in negotiations with Dupuis, who has missed just two games over the past four seasons and tallied 172 points for the Penguins.
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