We can officially close the book on 2001's adventures in arbitration. The final announcement involving arbiter's hearings is in, and Darius Kasparaitis is on his way out of the Penguins organization.

It might not happen right away, but Kasparaitis has greased the wheels for a trade. In the unlikely event the Penguins can't peddle him, Kasparaitis is in position to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

TSN Penguins correspondent Dave Molinari details the Kasparaitis case in his Penguins Team Report . But the gist is, the team will keep its physical focal point on defense until it can make a trade or lose him for nothing next July.

It's not unusual for teams and players to cut deals before an arbiter's decision is made. But it is unusual for a player of Kasparaitis' ability to voluntarily ax his salary and for his team to agree to do it, knowing it will lose him for nothing at the end of his contract.

Expect Kasparaitis to be wearing another sweater by the trade deadline next March. The Penguins know they can get a good return for him with his market under market value.