The Justin Schultz reclamation project is on in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Justin Schultz from Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton rids itself of a failed project.
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The Penguins traded for the Edmonton Oilers defenseman on Saturday, sending back a 2016 third-round draft pick in the deal.
Schultz and Teddy Purcell were healthy scratches on Thursday, presumably to protect against injury in case of an impending trade. Purcell was traded to the Florida Panthers about an hour earlier on Saturday.
Trade rumors have swirled around Schultz for months as his play continued to devolve. His on-ice shot totals and offensive production are his worst in years with only 10 points in 45 games. Yet he comes with a hefty price tag of $3.9 million per year, which the Oilers are paying half of in the deal.
Schultz came to Edmonton with high expectations. Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, Schultz declined a contract offer and signed with the Oilers instead. A 48-point player in the American Hockey League, Schultz has only cracked the 30-point mark twice with the Oilers.
The Penguins have reportedly been trying to move winger Sergei Plotnikov as the deadline nears, but apparently the Oilers were not interested.
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