Penguins re-sign Justin Schultz to three-year, $16.5M deal

David Amber, John Shannon and Chris Johnston recap Chris Kunitz and Nick Bonino leaving Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed defenceman Justin Schultz to a three-year deal with an annual average value of $5.5 million.

“Justin plays a very important role for our team,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in a team release. “It’s very good to know that he will be returning to us for the next three years.”

Schultz recorded a career-high 51 points in 78 regular-season games for Pittsburgh this past season and played a key role one an injury-plagued defensive corps for the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Penguins. The Kelowna, B.C., native suited up for all but four of Pittsburgh’s 25 post-season games this spring, scoring four goals and 17 points.

Drafted by the Ducks in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft, Schultz was unable to agree to terms with Anaheim. After becoming a UFA in May 2012, Schultz signed with the Edmonton Oilers on June 30, 2012.

Following three-and-a-half seasons with the Oilers, Schultz was acquired by the Penguins in a deal ahead of the 2016 deadline and has won two Stanley Cups in the 18 months since.

July 1, 2017

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Justin Schultz
SIGNED BY
Pittsburgh Penguins
LENGTH
3 yrs
CONTRACT TYPE
Re-signing
SALARY CAP HIT
$5.5 million
TOTAL
$16.5 million

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