Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Schultz from Edmonton

The Penguins made a move today straight after the Winnipeg Jets game, which they won 4-1 with Hagelin scoring twice. They traded for Justin Schultz at 50% for a 3rd round pick in the 2016 NHL draft. Schultz will join the team during the mid-week, so his first game will likely be against the New York Rangers.

Justin Schultz could have ended up in Pittsburgh earlier in his career. He was playing for the Westside Warriors of the BCHL when he was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2nd round, 43rd overall, in the 2008 draft. Schultz failed to agree a deal with Anaheim and signed with Edmonton in June of 2012. His contract runs out this summer where he will become a restricted free agent. His cap hit is currently $3.9m but the Penguins will be only paying half though.

Since then, despite playing on the worst team during the period from then to now, he has scored 101 points in 248 games. That is a decent total considering his team and line-mates. Schultz has struggled with his defensive game and that is something that Rutherford has said he wants him to build on whilst in Pittsburgh.

Jim Rutherford has set to change the Penguins defence to a more mobile, puck moving one rather than one that utilises shut-down defencemen. This is evidenced by the acquisition of Trevor Daley and now Justin Schultz. Pouliot, who was criticised for having not developed well has also enjoyed time up in the NHL now. He is a great puck-mover but has struggled on the back-end but has spent the season working on that and is looking like a better player.

In all, this isn't much of a risk for the Penguins. A third round pick could end up being anyone and if they can work on Schultz like they did on Daley, then it will be worth it. Rutherford has stated as well that the Penguins aren't done, they're open for business.