Getting Defensive

With less than 48 hours until the start of free agency, Pittsburgh Penguins' GM Ray Shero is on the defense.

That is, he seems to be trying to transform his defensemen into the NHL's best unit.

All eyes are on his negotiations with star power play quarterback Sergei Gonchar and newly acquired two-way stalwart Dan Hamhuis -- both of whom will be unrestricted free agents starting at midnight on Thursday, July 1.

As of this morning, there's nothing new on the Gonchar front. The Penguins continue to wait for a response or decision from #55's camp as to whether he's willing to accept the Pens' 2-year deal around $11 million to stay with a perennial contender or whether he will test the market seeking to close his illustrious career on a higher paying 3-year deal somewhere else.

There were more happenings yesterday with regard to Hamhuis, however, as Shero and head coach Dan Bylsma had a 45 minute meeting with the defenseman and his agent, Wade Arnott, to express how much interest they had in the blueliner, sell him on the team, city and new building, and talk about his anticipated role and minutes with the club -- the latter of which seems to be of significant importance to Hamhuis, if what I've heard about his recent negotations with the Philadelphia Flyers is true.

In Pittsburgh, it's no stretch to say that Hamhuis would take on a role as either the #2 or #3 defenseman, depending on whether Gonchar returns. He would be used as a shutdown role first and foremost, but the 6' 1" rearguard also would likely earn some power play time, as the Penguins believe his offensive potential was a little bit untapped in Nashville, despite Hamhuis putting up around 30 points last year.

Undobutedly, Shero has identified Hamhuis as a long-term fit for the Penguins. If he and Gonchar both stay in town, they would join Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoskki to form one of the best groups of blueliners in the entire league.

It's also worth noting, however, that if both Gonchar and Hamhuis suit up for Pittsburgh next season, there will be little salary cap space to add another winger, which means the team will go into the upcoming year with the same supposed weakness so many have criticized them of having -- not enough support for their star centers.

Still, the Penguins scored the 5th most goals in the game in 2009/2010 with a below average crop of wings on their payroll, and there's no reason to believe that total will drop meaningfully in the coming season.

Meanwhile, there's no dispute they obviously weren't as good defensively in trying to defend the Stanley Cup -- finishing 20th overall in goals against. That, combined with a weak free agent forward class this year seems to have given Shero purpose to focus on his blueline.

Certainly, time will tell what happens. I know I'll be watching intently the next several days because, with each passing hour between now and Thursday, that's one less window Pittsburgh has to secure those guys -- and make decisions on their other free agents like Bill Guerin and Jordan Leopold, among others. Those guys have just been waiting for the big dominos to fall.

One thing is for sure. Whoever hits free agency is unlikely to return. Even Shero knows that, acknowledging yesterday that they've only had "one stroke of luck" getting a player to return after hitting the open market -- Brooks Orpik 2 years ago. I remember being as surprised about being able to bring #44 back as anyone.

It will be an interesting next 48 hours.

More soon.