NHL salary cap set for 2008-09 season

The Penguins received some potentially good news today as the NHL's salary cap for the upcoming season was announced at an upper limit higher than originally anticipated.

The NHL and its Players' Association announced the cap will max out at $56.7 million for the 2008-09 season. The lower limit will stand at $40.7 million, meaning all 30 league clubs must commit at least that total to payroll.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said previously he expected a $3 million increase on last season's $50.3 million cap max.

The Penguins are currently committed to about $34.5 million in salary for the upcoming season, including $8.7 million for center Sidney Crosby, who will enter the first season if his five-year, $43.5 million extension.

On the strength of a full season of sellouts at Mellon Arena, Penguins ownership is believed to be willing to spend as near to the cap as management sees fit -- even though that would likely mean losing money. Ownership is willing to incur financial losses each of the next two seasons before a revenue-friendly new arena opens for the 2010-11 season.

The Penguins have 12 players from their Stanley Cup final roster set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, including right wing Marian Hossa, defenseman Brooks Orpik and left wing Ryan Malone. Hossa and Malone have said they will test the open market, but the Penguins are engaged in talks with Orpik's camp to keep him in Pittsburgh next season and beyond.

The team also hopes to sign goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to a long-term deal. The Penguins and Fleury are set for an arbitration hearing no sooner than July 20, but both sides are optimistic a contract can be reached prior to that hearing.

The Penguins also would like to sign centers Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal to contract extension, though each player will work under the terms of his three-year entry-level deal for the upcoming season.