Penguins Re-Sign Arron Asham

Jun 29 11:37p by Charlie Wilmoth

The Penguins have re-signed forward Arron Asham to a one-year deal, the team’s website reports. Asham will make $775,000. Asham appeared in 44 games as a role-player for the Pens in 2010-2011, but he stepped up in the playoffs for the Pens.

Asham, 33, recently completed his first season with the Penguins. The veteran winger was one of Pittsburgh’s top performers during the postseason, leading the team with three goals and tying for the team lead with four points in seven games.

Asham’s re-signing probably will have implications for the Penguins’ other free agent forwards, although of course we don’t know yet what those might be. The most likely scenario, though, probably involves the Penguins jettisoning Mike Rupp, while signing Jaromir Jagr and Tyler Kennedy, who are both higher-priority.

The rest of the week will tell us much more, as the key date here is Friday, July 1, which is when free agency officially begins. Look for the Penguins to make moves for Jagr and Kennedy before that.