Penguins announce Marcus Pettersson contract extension, five years $4.025 million cap hit

Once the new year arrived, the Penguins could officially begin work on a long term contract extension with defenseman Marcus Pettersson, and although it did not come together right away, Pettersson’s future with the Penguins never seemed in doubt.

Less than six months after agreeing to a one-year deal with the then restricted free agent blueliner for the 2019-20 season, the Penguins announced they have agreed with a five-year contract extension with Pettersson that will keep him in black and gold through the 2024-25 season.

Pettersson’s new contract will take effect beginning next season and will carry an average annual value of just over $4 million per year.

From a team release:

“In just over a year, Marcus has had a significant impact on our defensive group,” said Rutherford. “He is young, reliable and smart, which is important in today’s game. Marcus is part of our young core and it was important to get him signed long-term.”

Pettersson, 23, is in his second season with Pittsburgh after being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks on December 3, 2018, and has totaled three goals, 31 assists for 34 points in 107 games with the Penguins. Since being acquired, Pettersson has the second most points and third highest plus-minus (+17) among Penguins’ defensemen.

While the Penguins have battled through significant injuries all season, Pettersson has been one of the few constants in the lineup, playing in all 50 of the team’s games while racking up almost 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Along with soaking up crucial ice time for the Penguins, Pettersson has also posted 15 points through 50 games, which puts him on pace to surpass his career best total of 25 from last season.

Earlier in January, fellow Swedish defenseman Rasmus Andersson signed a what many considered a potential comparable deal to what Pettersson could sign with the Penguins. Fast forward three weeks and lo and behold, Pettersson did almost exactly that, coming in with one fewer year and just about $500,000 less than Andersson.

Since this new deal will not kick in until next season, it gives the general manager Jim Rutherford plenty of time to tweak the roster and keep the Penguins cap compliant even with Pettersson’s shiny new deal.

In our midseason grades published last week, we awarded Pettersson a “B” grade for his outstanding performance this season and how much he has developed as a player in his short time with the Penguins.