In an effort to bolster his injury-depleted defense, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford acquired Justin Schultz from Edmonton on Saturday for a third-round pick in the 2016 Entry Draft. The deal was announced following the Pens’ 4-1 victory over Winnipeg.
Skilled and mobile, the 25-year-old Schultz established a reputation for offensive flair and defensive-zone lapses during his four seasons with the Oilers. Possessing decent size (6’2” 193), the British Columbia native isn’t especially physical (only 29 hits this season).
Still, he adds a coveted right-handed shot to the black-and-gold defensive mix. Perhaps to team with Derrick Pouliot or Ian Cole on the third pairing. Or, as Bill West of the Tribune-Review suggests, slotted next to steady Brian Dumoulin, freeing veteran Trevor Daley to partner with Pouliot or Cole.
With 101 points in 248 NHL games—including a career-best 11 goals in 2013-14—the former University of Wisconsin star could thrive in coach Mike Sullivan’s up-tempo system.
“We think a change of scenery for him is going to be good,” Rutherford said. “We’ll see how the fit is.”
The Pens’ newest acquisition seemed thrilled by the trade.
“Really excited,” Schultz said. “Really excited to come to Pittsburgh. I think it will suit my game well.”
Expected to join the team mid-week, Schultz is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1. According to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Oilers agreed to retain half of his $3.9M cap hit.
| Justin Schultz by the Numbers | ||||||||
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| 2012-13 | Edmonton | NHL | 48 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 8 | -17 |
| 2013-14 | Edmonton | NHL | 74 | 11 | 22 | 33 | 16 | -22 |
| 2014-15 | Edmonton | NHL | 81 | 6 | 25 | 31 | 12 | -17 |
| 2015-16 | Edmonton | NHL | 45 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 14 | -22 |
| Career (4 seasons) | NHL | 248 | 28 | 73 | 101 | 50 | -78 | |
Warsofsky Recalled
In another personnel shuffle, the Penguins recalled defenseman David Warsofsky from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The 25-year-old defender spent four games with the Baby Pens on a conditioning assignment after returning from the IR following a concussion.
Warsofsky has one goal in 12 games with the Pens this season. In 17 games at Wilkes-Barre, the 5’9” 170-pounder collected two goals and six points.
To make room, the Pens returned Steve Oleksy to the Baby Pens.
Hey Rick,
This is one of those moves that JR will either be a genius or a goat.
If Schultz can get his defensive game together, even 60 %,the rest comes naturally to him.
He is young,has good size,skates well and definitely likes to join the rush as a fourth forward.Maybe he will redeem himself in Pittsburgh.Look what Daley did since coming over from Chicago.
With Edmonton holding 50% of his salary,and only costing us a third round pick,this is a pretty safe trade that JR made.
Now we can still try to trade Bennett,Plotnikov,Zatkoff, maybe one of the WBS boys as a package and get a left winger. We would still have 3 million plus in cap space if that were possible to do.If you could add Kunitz to the trade,you would have over 6.8 million in cap space and with that amount of money you can RENT a star left winger !!
Interesting times in the next 24 hours in the Hockey world.
Cheers,
Hey Jim,
I have the same feelings. If JR wasn’t going to add a tough, stay-at-home type (not his M.O.), then I actually don’t mind this deal.
I know nothing about Schultz other than what I’ve read and can glean through his statistics. But apparently he’s quite an offensive talent. Granted, one with lots of defensive deficiencies…
Still, for some reason I can see him and Dumoulin forming an effective pair. That leaves the more experienced Daley to team with (and mentor) Pouliot.
It sounds for all the world that Rutherford wants to add a forward, too. My guess is he might be looking at Toronto. Apparently, the Leafs still hope to move a slew of veterans—Boyes, Grabner, Parenteau and Lupul. I’ve read that Tanner Pearson of the Kings may be on the block. And Mikkel Boddker of the Coyotes (who happen to be coming to town).
While I agree JR will most likely try to trade some of our lesser lights, I would not be stunned to see him move guys like Bonino, Cole, Bennett (and Kunitz) as part of a larger deal.
I really hope your right Rick, and JR goes all in and gets us Boddker or Valeri N. from Dallas and another “lesser light ” left winger as you put it from Toronto.They still want to help us and secure that first round pick! So something is coming our way from Toronto tomorrow for sure.
If you have to give something of value to get something back of value, do it ! The Rangers just got Eric Stall. The Panthers made several trades.So did the Senators.Caps are not finished trading. Watch out for Tampa Bay and Boston. Not the time to be shy.
I may take some flak from your readers,but I truly believe if JR holds back,there will be no tomorrow for this current roster. This core group of players will be broken up in the off season and this team will be sold to a different ownership group.One way or another.
I can not wait to see what happens come 4 pm Monday. There is some serious trading going on in the East.
Cheers.