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.
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