Penguins Free-Agent Bulletin Board

The first day of free agency was a busy one for the Penguins.

General manager Jim Rutherford added six new players, including defenseman Matt Hunwick and goaltender Antti Niemi. Likewise, six players departed, including forwards Nick Bonino and Chris Kunitz and defensemen Trevor Daley and Ron Hainsey.

Here’s a list of the Pens’ arrivals and departures.

Arrivals
*Player*	*Pos.*	*Age*	*Old Team*	*Salary ($M)*	*Years*
Matt Hunwick	D	32	Toronto	$2.25	3
Greg McKegg*	C	25	Tampa Bay	$0.65	1
Antti Niemi	G	33	Dallas	$0.7	1
Chris Summers*	D	29	NY Rangers	$0.65	1
Jarred Tinordi*	D	25	Arizona	$0.65	1
Zach Trotman*	D	26	Los Angeles	$0.65	1

Departures
*Player*	*Pos.*	*Age*	*New Team*	*Salary ($M)*	*Years*
Nick Bonino	C	29	Nashville	$4.1	4
Trevor Daley	D	33	Detroit	$3.18	3
Cameron Gaunce*	D	27	Columbus	NA	2
Ron Hainsey	D	36	Toronto	$3.0	2
Chris Kunitz	LW	37	Tampa Bay	$2.0	1
David Warsofsky*	D	27	Colorado	NA	2

* Two-way contract

In perhaps the biggest news of the day, Rutherford re-signed defenseman Justin Schultz to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million.

“Justin plays a very important role for our team,” the Pens’ GM said. “It’s very good to know that he will be returning to us for the next three years.”

Schultz scored 51 points (12+39) in 2016-17 to rank seventh among NHL defensemen. He also registered a team-high plus-27.

The Pens also signed defenseman Frank Corrado and left wing Tom Sestito to one-year, two-way contracts. Goaltender Casey DeSmith signed a two-year, two-way contract. All deals carry a value of $650,000/year at the NHL level.

In addition, on Friday the Penguins signed left wing Garrett Wilson to a two-way, two-year extension worth $650,000/year at the NHL level. Noted for his physical play, the 6’2” 200-pounder tallied 31 points (11+20) in 59 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2016-17, along with 83 penalty minutes.

Rick Buker