Jun 6, 2008 1:53 pm US/Eastern
Pens Clean Out Lockers, Say Goodbye At The Igloo
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
It's a day of goodbyes as the Penguins gather at Mellon Arena today before going their separate ways during the off-season.
Today, the Pens are cleaning out their lockers and are undergoing a final physical before departing.
The players continue to deal with their loss Wednesday night to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
"It's tough just cause we were so close. I think that's the toughest part about it," said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
"I have to stay positive because we accomplished a lot during the season," said Penguin Sergei Gonchar.
Despite the tough loss, it was a record setting season for the Pens. The team sold out 67 straight games, which dates back to last year. Also, the 2007-2008 season was the first in franchise history that the team sold out every game.
Besides that, fans helped to raise more than $85,000 for the Lemieux Foundation by coming out to Mellon Arena to watch road games during the Stanley Cup Finals.
Meanwhile, in the coming months, the Pens management team will be working though some important contract issues. The Penguins have no fewer than 12 unrestricted free agents, including Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone and Brooks Orpik, who can all begin talking with other teams on July 1.
Also, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is a restricted free agent, which means he can get offers from other teams, but the Penguins have the right to match.
Also, there's the matter of negotiating long-term deals with both Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, which could limit what they do with their unrestricted guys.
President Dave Morehouse says he can't promise to keep everyone, but he can promise a consistently winning team.
"We have the kind of organization that will do what it can to keep a winning team on the ice," he said. "And this ownership group has shown that they're willing to put money up to be successful."
Stay with KDKA for all the latest news on the Penguins.
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