Penguins working to extend Patric Hornqvist’s contract

With the trade deadline officially past him, Jim Rutherford has started on a course to extend upcoming restricted free agent and top-six right-winger, Patric Hornqvist.

Reports are saying that his new contract will likely be for five years at $5.3 million. This is all possible thanks to Vegas retaining half of Derick Brassard’s $6 million contract (making it an easy $3 million to work under the new cap that’s set to get its anticipated $80 million raise next season), and Ian Cole’s $2.1 million chunk being taking care of with him now in Columbus.

Some may think that five years is too long, but given the current roster with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and Kris Letang, the time to lock down huge role players like Hornqvist is now. With his unique and special skill set, he’d be an unfortunate guy to pass up on while still being one of the most highly competitive and powerful teams in the NHL. He did score the game-winning goal in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final after all.

Pittsburgh can virtually do next-to-nothing this coming offseason and still be loaded for the 2018-19 season. Rutherford has once again done a fantastic job this deadline, as per usual.

We’ll update you as things become more official, but for now, this is great news for the Penguins.