Will Penguins' Orpik hit free agent market this summer?
/The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette outlines just how respected and appreciated defenseman Brooks Orpik is within the Penguins organization, but points out the 33-year-old - who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and who will turn 34 late in September - can almost feel his potential replacement pushing hard behind him.
"I think the top six prospects in the system are defensemen," Orpik said. "It is what it is ...
"I'd love to stay here. I love it here. I know I've still got a lot left in me."
The article notes Matt Niskanen will also be a free agent, and keeping both men may be difficult.
"You think about what might happen," Orpik admitted. "Anyone who says they don't think about it is lying."