It all depends on Hossa

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

It’s all up to Pittsburgh Penguins winger Marian Hossa now. The Penguins have made Hossa a long-term contract offer — believed to be seven years, $50 million — and expect to hear back from him in a couple of days.

If Hossa accepts the contract — and the Penguins expect he will — Ryan Malone’s days in the Steel City are finished.

At that point, it’s believed the Blue Jackets will swoop in and trade for Malone’s negotiating rights to get him signed before the July 1 free agency free-for-all. What will the Blue Jackets give up? I’ve heard Dan Fritsche, straight up, and I’ve heard a second- or third-round draft pick.

Read more about Malone, and the possibility of other Blue Jackets acquisitions here.

Wow, this is quite the competition for Ryan “Ho” Malone. First off, if Hossa accepts that offer, the Penguins will be set with quite the core for a long time.

As for Malone, Portzline points out that the reason the Jackets would trade for his rights is because the Wild want his services too. If the Penguins can come out of this week with Hossa signed, a pending deal with Malkin and compensation for Ryan Malone then Ray Shero will be given an A for his work.