The Penguins re-signed defenseman Justin Schultz to a one-year deal, general manager Jim Rutherford announced today.
Schultz, who made $3.9 million last season while splitting time between Edmonton and Pittsburgh, will earn $1.4 million during the coming season.
The bargain signing reinforces a Pens defense thinned by the departure of Ben Lovejoy. “The Reverend” inked a three-year contract with New Jersey worth $8 million on July 1.
A smooth skater and skilled offensive defenseman, Schultz performed well after arriving from Edmonton on February 27 for a third-round pick. In 18 regular-season games with the Pens, the former University of Wisconsin star tallied a goal and eight points to go with a sparkling plus-7.
The 25-year-old dressed in 15 playoff games for the black and gold–including each game of the Stanley Cup Finals–and tallied four assists. Schultz averaged a shade over 13 minutes of ice time during the postseason.
The Kelowna, B.C. native likely will join incumbents Kris Letang, Trevor Daley, Brian Dumoulin, Olli Maatta, and Ian Cole in the top six. Perennial prospect Derrick Pouliot figures to be in the mix as well.
Free-agent pickups Cameron Gaunce, Stuart Percy, Chad Ruhwedel, and David Warsofsky–along with AHL holdovers Tim Erixon and Steve Oleksy–provide organizational depth.
Cullen Still in Play
Rutherford confirmed that he’s made an offer to Matt Cullen, the ageless wonder who played such a pivotal role in the Pens’ recent Stanley Cup triumph.
“We have an offer out there for Matt Cullen,” Rutherford said. “It’s certainly not a number that justifies his season this (past) year, but it’s what we have left in the cap.”
Among other clubs, the Wild have shown interest in signing the 39-year-old forward. Cullen hails from Virginia, Minnesota.
In other free-agent news, the Pens signed ex-Florida forward Garrett Wilson to a one-year, two-way deal on July 7. Wilson, 25, would earn $575,000 at the NHL level.
Noted for his physical style, the 6’2″ 199-pounder notched 23 goals with San Antonio (AHL) in 2014-15. He played in 34 regular-season games and six playoff games for the Panthers over the past three seasons.
I like the re-signing of Schultz,
1st Jim there is no compensation for signing a unrestricted free agent , like in baseball, the team would get nothing if a UFA signs with another team,
Is the picture Rob Scuderi??
Thanks for the correction Pen’s 4Ever.
I thought he was a restricted free agent because of his age.
You enjoying the heat wave in upper Canada ?
Cheers.
Cap Friendly reports that JS is apparently a RFA.
Hope they are right.
Good observation on the picture.
Cheers
P4E – Good Call! My fault on the Scuderi. I was going from a real small picture and was in a huge rush!
Doesn’t he become a ufa if the team that owns his rfa doesn’t sign him? Maybe they haven’t updated cap friendly.
Yeah I guess he is a RFA next off season, sorry guys my bad.
So if someone offers him an offer sheet and we don’t match it, depending on the terms of the contract Pen’s can get compensation,
Sorry guys..and I hate the heat up here!! Can’t wait for some colder air!!
Hi Rick,
Good signing for $ 1.4 million. I honestly thought he would get away from us or we would need at least $ 2.4 million to sign him. Another good job by JR.
Plus now we have 6 good d in play with Cup experience and possibly Derrick P. and others could be future trade pieces. It gives JR some options to deal with now that were not there yesterday for sure.
Cheers
Hey Jim,
I was very happy to see the Pens re-sign Schultz. I’m really surprised no other team made a serious bid for him. Heck, during the Finals one of the announcers mentioned that Mario (Lemieux) really likes him. That’s good enough for me … 🙂
I know Schultz had some issues in Edmonton. But this guy’s got some skill. I made it a point to watch him as the playoffs went along and, honestly, I thought he did a decent job of defending. For the most part, he kept himself between the puck carrier and Murray. He even began to assert himself physically.
Perhaps a little shaky around his own net at times. But not overly so.
To get him for $1.4M? A steal.
Hope you’re having a good summer … 🙂
Rick
Hey Jim & Rick,
What a great bargain basement signing/re-signing. I can’t wait to see a full season of this kid in Sullivan’s system and with the guys we have. He gets the puck to the net quickly, often with wrist shots that are usually cherries to be picked on deflections. With Hornqvist camped out in front, that could mean great stuff.
Like the both of you, I was surprised he didn’t go to another team already, but as mentioned to you, Rick, a little while ago, I thought our chances of signing him got better the longer he remained un-signed. Despite all of the potential he has (just like Pouliot) he really hasn’t put up the numbers one would expect for a $3.9 mil D-man, toiling as he was in Edmonton. That no doubt helped us get him so cheap. It is hard to really show what you’re worth when you play on a team that despite the number of high overall draft picks has foundered for so long, as a team. And when you add to that what JR said of him really liking Pittsburgh and the chance to make a second Cup run, I guess it is not all that surprising of a signing.
However, next year, the Pens may not be so fortunate. Since he only signed a 1-year deal, unless he regresses or doesn’t get much TOI, he should have the numbers to have the whole league pounding on his door.
The next step is to see if the Pens can get Cullen back in the fold. I would really love to see him re-sign too. He brings great leadership and still has loads of talent and skill (especially in the FO circle). I know there is a counter-argument that he could bottleneck Sundqvist’s growth, but I think with injuries etc, Sundqvist should still really get some quality TOI even with Cullen back, but Cullen would add that calming influence of veteran leadership and could help teach kids like Sundqvist, Rust, Sheary, and Kuhnhackl, much the way Trottier did 20 years ago, making them better players than they would be otherwise.
Camp is just around the corner, I can’t wait.
Hi Coach,
I really hope Schultz has a great year in 2016-17 as well, and yes next year somebody offers him 4 or 5 million dollar a year, multi- year contract because then, I think we will be entitled to a first round and maybe a second round draft pick as well in compensation.
Great signing by JR and this deal has many positive outcomes for us. Lets hope he doesn’t screw up and it will be a win for everybody !! Coach Sullivan will make sure that does not happen.
I am just hoping we can get a winger for Geno before the season starts.
Cheers,
Hey Jim
I would like to see that happen too (getting a winger for Geno). I would like to think that Rust and or Kuhnhackl could be do well skating with him and then Sprong when he finally gets off of injured reserve, but a proven NHL caliber winger should be on JRs shopping list. Unfortunately, $$$$$ or lack thereof, under the cap will limit or preclude anything there. Somehow or another the Pens would need to get out from under Kunitz or MAFs contract in the process.
I know some people may want to argue the point because MAF and Kunitz aren’t exactly pylons. They can present good arguments but Murray makes Fleury redundant and Kunitz’s age makes him a little suspect.
But considering the fact that Geno had a Shooting Pct of 16.7% while the team as a whole (including his line mates and D) only shot 7.5% shows that he really had no help in the scoring dept last year. It is a testament to how good he is that he still managed a point per game. It makes you wonder what he could have done if he were given more ice-time with players like Hagelin and Kessell. That line really lit it up when together.
I am not suggesting breaking up HBK. A three headed beast beats a two headed monster but it would be nice if Rust/Kunhackl/Sprong truly have developed or the Pens pick up an established winger.
Maybe something will break cap wise and the Pens can go after Vesey.
Regardless, the Pens are the reigning champs for good reason and what ever the line up, they will be exciting.
Can’t wait for October!