Categories: PenguinPoop

Penguins Acquire Justin Schultz

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.

Rick Buker

Recent Posts

Penguins Use Puck Luck to Pluck Ducks, 2-1

Well, our Penguins finally did it! They played a reasonably complete 60-minute game (62:35 actually)…

1 day ago

Ex-Penguins Update: Halloween Special

I thought I'd take a break from the relentlessly grim news surrounding our skidding Penguins…

2 days ago

Dubas’ Trade Strategy: Out with the Old, In with the New

  The Penguins are off to a rough start, to say the least. Over their…

2 days ago

Penguins Lose Again, Time to Say Goodbye

Perhaps the title of this article should be, “The More Things Change, the More They…

3 days ago

Fragile Penguins Buckle Again, Bow to Canucks 4-3

Before I spout my two cents worth over last night's come-from-in-front loss to the Canucks,…

6 days ago

The Soul of the Penguins Died Vs Vancouver

Last night's game was hard to watch. The Penguins' usual problems were on full display:…

6 days ago