Watch CBS News

Shero Addresses Jordan Staal, Defensemen & Other Roster Items

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) -- Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero spoke with the media Tuesday afternoon and said he has every intention of re-signing forward Jordan Staal.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Shero said Staal has not asked to be traded. Accordingly, Staal hasn't expressed the desire for a larger role in Pittsburgh or to leave for another city.

While noting that, "we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves," Shero said that he believes that "if (Staal) wanted to move on, he would have told me already. And he hasn't told me that."

Shero said other teams in the NHL have contacted the Penguins and expressed interest in Staal. However, at this point in time Shero is focused on re-signing Staal -- not trading him.

Staal enters his final year under contract in Pittsburgh in 2012-13. The Penguins are faced with the task of trying to re-sign him or trade him away for something in return before he hits free agency next summer.

Shero told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he's interested in re-signing Staal long term and none of the offers coming in have been enticing enough to change his mindset.

"People read the newspapers and so maybe they think he's available," Shero said. "That stuff is all speculation. I have made it clear to every team that has asked. I don't want to trade Jordan. I'm not listening to offers. I want Jordan here. I want him here for a long time, and that's what I'm going to try to do."

Shero addressed some other personnel topics Tuesday as well.

  • He expects to trade at least one defenseman on the current roster, as the Penguins have nine that will require waivers next season.
  • He continues to have interest in negotiating a long-term deal with captain Sidney Crosby, though talks are still in the early stages.
  • The Penguins have or will extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents Matt Niskanen, Eric Tangradi, Keven veilleux, Brian Strait, Robert Bortuzzo, Alex Grant and Carl Sneep.
  • Shero is interested in re-signing wingers Arron Asham and Steve Sullivan, though talks will likely not get moving until after this weekend's NHL Entry Draft.

RELATED LINKS
Penguins News
NHL News
CBS Penguins
Shea-Ved Ice Blog

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.