Free Agency Fast And Furious: Penguins Re-Sign Dupuis, Eaton; Chasing Rolston and ..... Jagr?

I have a feeling things are just getting started with free agency. In trying to keep up with all the signings, trades and rumors, it's actually been difficult to post.

First, what the Penguins have done.

They have re-signed winger Pascal Dupuis for 3 years at 1.4 million per season. I must admit, I was surprised to hear about this since I didn't hear a peep about what the Penguins might be doing with Dupuis. He's a useful role player who can contribute when called upon, but I still think he's better suited on a 3rd line than on a scoring line.

The Penguins also have re-signed defenseman Mark Eaton to a 2 year contract for 1 million per year. I think this is an excellent signing by Shero. Eaton can be very effective when healthy. He just needs to stay healthy. Having him in the fold is a good insurance policy since it looks like the Penguins may lose Brooks Orpik

Now, what the Penguins are doing. I'll start with Orpik.

I've heard Pittsburgh has offered him a 5 year, 18.5 million dollar deal, which averages over 3.5 million a season. Orpik, meanwhile, is said to be getting offers from teams like the Rangers and Buffalo which average around 4.25 a year.

How much is it worth to him?

I've heard that Edmonton, Vancouver and Chicago have made offers to Hossa. Numbers haven't been disclosed in the case of the first two teams, but the Blackhawks' bid is said to be 50 million for 6 years, which is just over 8 per. The talk earlier was the the Oilers were prepared to offer 9 million a year. They even cleared some cap room by trading defenseman Joni Pitkanen to Columbus earlier. Meanwhile, Boston was said to be prepared to offer a 12 year, 120 million dollar deal to land #18. I have no confirmation of that.

Outside of the organ-i-zation, I've heard that the Penguins have offered 2 year contracts to 3 wingers --- Marcus Naslund, Brian Rolston and --- are you ready --- Jaromir Jagr. That's right. Jagr. That offer is said to be an incentive-laden 5 million base offer for 1 season (that could rise to 7.5 million) The Rolston offer is said to be 9 million for 2, which isn't quite what Tampa Bay reportedly offered him (over 5 million a season).

The news about Jagr has to be one of the most interesting stories circulating. I just can't see him returning to Pittsburgh, especially given his comments recently that he wants to be (and plays his best when he is) "the man" on a team. Obviously, he wouldn't be that with the Penguins.

Signing any of these 3 players would almost surely rule out Hossa's return to Pittsburgh. Give Penguins GM Ray Shero credit, though. If any of this is true, he's certainly not sitting idly by watching the paint dry. He's being aggressive, and that's what you want.

I'll post more as I hear it .......