Chris Gardner, Associated Press Sean Burke, 38, was 16-20-7 with a 2.72 goals against average in the 2003-04 season while splitting time between the Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers. Click photo for larger image.

The Sean Burke thrill ride appeared to be heading to Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon, just another rise on the free-agent adventure that brought such All-Stars as Sergei Gonchar and Ziggy Palffy to the Penguins.

Then, it suddenly went South.

The veteran NHL goaltender, whom two Canadian Web sites -- among other media outlets -- reported yesterday afternoon was bound for the Penguins, said last night he was going to play for defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay instead.

"It's not going to end up happening with Pittsburgh," Burke said by telephone last night from his summer home in Alberta. "It was never agreed upon. It was at the point where we were getting close. It probably would have gotten done if it was a few days ago, if I could've gotten my family to get behind it and feel good about things.

"In the meantime, another possibility came up that seemed to make more sense for my family."

Tampa Bay offered the same two-year contract, but reportedly not the same $1.5 million per year as pitched by Penguins general manager Craig Patrick. Burke's family summers in Alberta and winters in Phoenix, so warm weather held considerable sway over his wife and two young children.

"It's not finalized as of yet, but it looks like it's going to get done," Burke said of the Lightning deal.

"Pittsburgh was a very exciting opportunity for me from a hockey standpoint," he added of the Penguins, who wanted him as a mentor to Marc-Andre Fleury and a No. 1 goaltender to start at least 55 games, both terms with which he was satisfied.

"With Mario [Lemieux] and [Sidney] Crosby and Mark Recchi being there, the possibility of me playing a lot and also helping a couple of young guys along, that was a great situation. At the end of the day ... [Tampa] is the option that seemed to make everybody in my family happier.

"I think Pittsburgh handled it totally professionally. I was very, very impressed they called me as early in the free-agent market as they did. I was very, very close to doing this deal. If my family was in any different situation ... then I probably would've made the decision based on how I felt from Day One. I needed the time to mull it all over with my family."

Phoenix offered Burke barely $700,000 and a backup role to Brian Boucher. Calgary offered a backup role to starter Miikka Kiprusoff -- a position filled yesterday afternoon when the Flames traded a conditional draft pick to Colorado for Philippe Sauve.

Goaltenders still available include Curtis Joseph, whose agent Patrick contacted early in the process, Mike Dunham, Felix Potvin, Byron Dafoe, former Penguins playoff star Ron Tugnutt and Steve Shields.

The Penguins announced one signing yesterday -- Rob Scuderi, who agreed on a multiyear, one-way contract nearly two weeks ago.

"I was really excited and happy that the Penguins had that much confidence in me, that I would be a regular guy there," said Scuderi, 26. "I know I can play."

Scuderi had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in May but expects to be cleared to resume skating next week.

"Just a matter of strengthening it now," he said. "I just want to be ready as soon as the season starts."

He works out each weekday at Boston College with past and present teammate Brooks Orpik, who didn't play last season but continued to work out. "He's looking pretty big now," Scuderi said of Orpik. "He's definitely ready to play hockey."

Each morning, Orpik comes to campus armed with the latest Internet information on the Penguins and provides Scuderi with updates. First, Gonchar and Roy. Then Palffy. Now ... some veteran goaltender?

"For an organization that's been struggling for a couple of years, to come back with this much excitement is great," Scuderi said. "I think it's going to be fun for everybody involved. I can't wait to be part of it."