With the Penguins now down a top-four defenseman in Marcus Pettersson, there are two defensemen most likely to get the call from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Former two-time Stanley Cup champion Justin Schultz [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/18241/justin-schultz] announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday afternoon. After being the Edmonton Oilers' second-round pick (43rd overall) in 2008, Schultz was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016. During his five seasons in black and gold, Schultz won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017. In 2020, he left the Penguins organization to skate with the Washington Capitals. After two seasons, Schultz moved to the Pacific Northwest and played with the Seattle Kraken for the past two seasons. As a free agent in the summer of 2024, Schultz did not land any NHL offers, so the 34-year-old signed with HC Lugano in the Swiss National League. In eight games, he's registered six assists in those contests. On top of winning two Stanley Cup championships, Schultz was an NHL All-Rookie in 2012-13. In 745 NHL games, he scored 71 goals and had 324 points. Schultz was also an All-Rookie and First-Team All-Star in the AHL, winning the Eddie Short Award as the best defenseman. Additionally, he was a two-time Hobey Baker Award Finalist in 2011 and 2012. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwNjYwNDIwMDI3OTUwOTI5/thnpitbanner.png]
