The Jaromir Jagr race had one less team Friday morning after the Penguins withdrew their one-year, $2M offer to the veteran just minutes before the free-agent market was set to open at noon ET.
"We made what we thought was a very fair contract offer to Jaromir on Tuesday, based on his stated interest of returning to the Penguins," GM Ray Shero said in a statement. "We made our best offer from the start, given our salary cap structure, in an attempt to facilitate a deal.
"But now, after several days, with an extended time frame for making a decision, and additional teams getting involved, we have decided to move in a different direction. It was never our intention to get involved in a free agent bidding war, and we have to focus on our team.
"Jaromir is one of the greatest players in Penguins history, and we wish him all the best."
Pens Withdraw Offer To Jagr