What the chances are of Orpik having Johan Fransson of Sweden alongside him on the Penguins' blue line next season remains to be seen.

The Penguins thought enough of Fransson to discuss a conditional trade for his rights with Los Angeles, but his status at the moment is cloudy, at best.

Although the Kings apparently failed to sign him by the June 1 deadline, which would make Fransson an unrestricted free agent in the NHL, he has a contract with Lulea in Sweden's Elitserien, and there are conflicting reports about whether he also has a deal in place with Dynamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.

If Fransson, 25, is free of his ties to Los Angeles and is not legally bound to the KHL, the Penguins will at least explore the possibility of working out a contract to bring him to North America.