Pittsburgh Penguins sign Justin Schultz to three-year deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed restricted free agent defenseman Justin Schultz to a three-year, $16.5 million contract, the team announced on Saturday.

The contract has an average annual value of $5.5 million and runs through the 2019-20 season.

Schultz recorded career highs in goals (12), assists (39), points (51), plus-minus (plus-27) and power-play points (20) in 78 games last season with the Penguins. The 26-year-old is coming off a one-year, $1.4 million deal.

"Justin plays a very important role for our team," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "It's very good to know that he will be returning to us for the next three years."

Schultz has collected 41 goals and 119 assists in 344 career NHL games since being selected with a second-round pick by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2008 draft. He was unable to agree to a contract with the Ducks and later signed with Edmonton and spent four seasons with the Oilers.

Schultz was ultimately dealt to the Penguins at the trade deadline for a 2016 third-round pick.