Projecting Marcus Pettersson's Next Penguins Contract
The Pittsburgh Penguins should lock down their top left-shot defenseman this summer.
Marcus Pettersson was unquestionably the Pittsburgh Penguins' top defensive defenseman last season. The same could probably be said for the previous two seasons as well.
Pettersson will likely use that in his upcoming contract negotiations with the Penguins. The 28-year-old defenseman is entering the final year of his current deal and is coming off a fantastic season. He set new career highs in goals (4), points (30), and +/- rating (+28).
The Penguins should look to lock down their top left-handed defenseman this summer when his extension window opens. The only question will be how much it will cost them.
When his new contract begins, Pettersson will be 29 years old. He's a fantastic penalty killer, a consistent puck mover, and a steadying force for the Penguins top pairing. He's also been a pillar of health in his time with the Penguins, missing only 33 games in his six years with the organization.
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has signed a handful of similar players, including his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dubas inked Jake Muzzin and TJ Brodie each to four-year contracts ahead of the 2020-21 season. Muzzin made $5.62 million against the cap that season (6.9% of total cap), while Brodie made $5 million (6.1% of total cap).
Dubas signed Ryan Graves last summer to a 6-year deal that costs the Penguins $4.5 million per season (5.4% of the total cap).
Projection: 6-Years x $5.713 million AAV ($34.28 million)
Pettersson's value certainly exceeds that of Graves, and this contract illustrates that along with a similar value against the salary cap (6.5%) as Brodie and Muzzin did in 2020.
This extension would carry Pettersson through his age-34 season, guaranteeing the remainder of his top production in Pittsburgh. With Jeff Petry's retained salary falling off the books in 2024, the Penguins could pay Pettersson's raise without using a substantial amount of the projected new salary cap space entering the 2025-26 season.
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