The NHL hasn't landed in Las Vegas yet, but Penguins forward Maxime Talbot is headed there hoping for riches.

Talbot has won his way into the main event of the World Series of Poker, a tournament that draws several thousand players, usually has a $10,000 entry fee and could make the winner $10 million or more.

It starts July 6.

"Everybody's asking me about that," Talbot said when he stopped by the Mellon Arena locker room while it was buzzing with the first day of conditioning camp for prospects.

"I'm kind of nervous. It's a different kind of competition. I don't know how well it's going to go, but I'm pretty excited."

Talbot, who earlier this week was given a qualifying offer that will prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent, said the Penguins don't have to worry; he won't retire from hockey if he strikes gold.

"I'll be signing here with a minimum salary and having fun playing," he said.

Talbot has recruited family members to play so he can practice.

He figures, because it didn't cost him anything to enter, he has nothing to lose.

"I'm going to be really aggressive," he said.

Although Talbot is an expressive and outgoing guy, he claims to be good at bluffing.

And he has the pat answer for questions about his skill at poker.

"Actually, I'm pretty bad."