Jim Rutherford says defenseman Marcus Pettersson will have a new contract before the Penguins open training camp next month.
It just might not be the kind of deal that either side would prefer.
Rutherford and Pettersson's agent, Peter Wallen, have put off negotiating a contract to replace the one that expired after last season while Rutherford tries to make a personnel move or two to open some salary-cap space.
Rutherford said Monday that although he has not made any progress toward that objective, management has some moves in mind that could be executed during the preseason to create some room under the NHL's $81.