September 11, 2024 | 5:45pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
PENGUINS TO PURSUE PETTERSSON CONTRACT TALKS AFTER CROSBY
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Marcus Pettersson, defenceman
Sidney Crosby takes priority in Pittsburgh, and for obvious reasons, but after he signs his contract extension with the Penguins, the club will shift its focus to another member of the team.
Earlier this week, Crosby told the media at the NHL/NHLPA Players Media Tour that he is confident a new extension will be ironed out by the start of the regular-season.
While he wouldn’t go into further detail, speculation around the start of July suggested a three-year extension was the likely outcome once all is said and done.
“I’m pretty optimistic it’s going to get done,” Crosby expressed. “It’s been really positive. Hasn’t been a difficult process.”
Once Crosby is locked into his new deal, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is expected to explore an extension for defenceman Marcus Pettersson, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta.
As Pagnotta reported on Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto and later on X on Wednesday, the Penguins are planning on engaged in contract talks with Pettersson’s camp soon after Crosby finalizes his deal.
Sidney Crosby is the obvious priority for Pittsburgh, but after his new contract is finalized, the Penguins are expected to begin formal talks with Marcus Pettersson on an extension, as well.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 11, 2024
Pettersson, 28, is in the final year of a five-year, $20,125,875 contract and owns an eight-team no-trade list this season.
It is too early to guestimate what type of dollars and term Pettersson will be looking for on a new contract with the Penguins, or what the Pens are prepared to do on their end, but formal talks are likely to begin after the regular-season gets underway and that will then determine how discussions will or won’t progress.
In 82 games with the Penguins last season, Pettersson registered a career high in goals (4), assists (26) and points (30), while picking up 44 penalty minutes.