Penguins Pump the Brakes on $20 Million Defenseman's Extension - Waiting to See the Season's Direction

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Tom Banks
October 26, 2024 (4:05 PM)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have been off to a very slow start in 2024/25, and now it appears they're holding off extension talks for a key pending UFA.

This past summer, the Pittsburgh Penguins extended the contract of team captain Sidney Crosby, and with a team full of talented veterans, many expected them to be competing for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. Unfortunately, the team have struggled in net in front of Tristan Jarry, who was assigned to the AHL on Saturday, and while they've improved in recent times in front of Alex Nedeljkovic and Joel Blomqvist, there's still questions about what this team can be in 2024/25.

Now, that may effect the future of this team, as Insider David Pagnotta has revealed that the team are holding back on discussions with defenseman Marcus Pettersson, who is in the final year of a five-year deal that has paid him just over $4 million annually.

Short answer is no.

He's going to be a UFA in the summer if he doesn't lock into a deal. He's a valuable piece on that back end. But again, Kyle Dubas and staff want to figure out exactly where this Penguins team is at,» Pagnotta said.

With the likes of Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang and Ryan Graves already locked in on the blue line, it makes sense for the Penguins to hold off extension talks, as Pettersson could become a valuable trade piece if this team continues to struggle. If they pick it up however and he builds on a career high 30 point season from 2023/24, expect the Penguins to be very interested in a reunion with the 28-year old.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be a team to watch one way or another this season, as the team could look to blow it up or they could look to run it back under Kyle Dubas, but with so many questions, holding back on a Pettersson extension may be the best play.