Report: Penguins Are Delaying Extension Talks With Marcus Pettersson

As we still await word on what's happening with a Sidney Crosby extension in Pittsburgh, it appears that the delay with the captain is also having an effect on another crucial Penguins player's contract situation.

According to Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, the Pens have put off extension talks with top-four defenseman Marcus Pettersson until the Crosby situation works itself out. Pettersson is also going into the final year of a contract, with a $4.025 million cap hit.

The 28-year-old has done nothing but perform as a steady rock on the Pittsburgh blueline in his five years with the team. This past season was his best yet, setting career bests in a number of categories, with 30 points, 159 blocked shots, a plus/minus of +28, and time on ice of 22:40.

He'll be due a raise on his $4M, and the team likely wants to know exactly how much cap room Crosby's new deal will take up before figuring out what to do with Pettersson.

Kingerski even proposes that a possible trade deadline selloff could potentially include the steady Swede.

"The Penguins probably don’t have a more valuable trade chip than Pettersson, who is easily a top-four d-man who is steady, reliable, and mobile. Based on historical data, he would likely bring multiple draft picks in return".

But that's for a few months down the line. Before even considering that, the Penguins hope that they'll actually be in playoff contention this season, and that won't be an issue.