5 day forecast
Penguins Notebook: Lovejoy reaches terms on new deal
-
The Penguins re-signed defenseman Ben Lovejoy.
Share with others:
The Penguins have a fourth defenseman under contract after agreeing to terms with Ben Lovejoy, who could have become a restricted free agent July 1.
The touted prospect signed for three years. It is a two-way contract for 2010-11 that will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level that season, less if he is in the minor leagues.
For the remaining two years, he will earn $525,000 per season, regardless of what level he plays.
Lovejoy, 26, is expected to make a strong push to become a top-six defenseman in the coming season.
He had three assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-8 in 12 games with the Penguins last season.
With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League last season, he tied for the team lead among the defensemen with nine goals and was second among the defensemen with 29 points.
The Penguins also have defensemen Alex Goligoski, Kris Letang and Brooks Orpik under contract, but Sergei Gonchar, Mark Eaton, Jordan Leopold and Jay McKee are eligible for unrestricted free agency if not signed by July 1.
Talks between general manager Ray Shero and Gonchar's agent, J.P. Barry, are ongoing, Barry said by e-mail.
Barry said the two spoke over the weekend and "I expect to hear from Ray soon or meet face-to-face in LA."
The NHL draft is Friday and Saturday in Los Angeles.
Shero has pegged trying to sign Gonchar as his top priority among potential free agents and offseason moves.
First Published June 22, 2010 12:00 am
