The Pittsburgh Penguins and defenseman Justin Schultz agreed to a new three-year contract Saturday, the opening day of NHL free agency.
Penguins re-sign Justin Schultz to 3-year, $16.5 million contract
Schultz gets paid for a breakout season.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Schultz, 26, was a restricted free agent this offseason. His new deal will pay him $16.5 million over the next three years, an average annual value of $5.5 million.
Pittsburgh acquired Schultz from the Edmonton Oilers for a 2016 third-round draft pick in early 2016. Schultz immediately carved out a top-four role for himself in Pittsburgh, boosting their power play en route to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
But he truly emerged this past season with 51 points in 78 games, his best season as a pro. He was even more vital in their Stanley Cup Playoffs run, tallying four goals and 13 points in 21 games.
By the end of this contract, Schultz will be 29 years old and ready for an even bigger payout if his career continues trending upward.
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