Pettersson

They must have promised him crazy more next contract b/c you don't wait this long to sign a basic deal like that.

yeah and Pettersson already said he was okay to wait to get his contract; hard to believe that's what he wanted
(unless Labanc called him and convinced him )

So, with that deal, is PIT going to go with a 22 men roster? It could work this year with no trade, but good luck next year

I think the hope is that Jack Johnson plays much better this year that they can finally trade him and get some sort of value back or taken in expansion because Riikola should be a solid 3rd pair LHD by then. Addison should be ready to jump into the top 6, if not top 4 by next year. I think Bjugs or Rust still will get traded next year too cause Blueger should be the 3C by then. I don’t think the pens will be in too bad of shape next year tbh.

Nah, Addison won't be ready, POJ and Marino will be before him, but depth d men aren't the issue, we have Ruhwedel, Riikola, Trotman POJ, and Marino, it's losing Schultz will leave a void in the top 4 that nobody is ready to fill yet, plus we have to resign Galch, probably around 6 (leaving us with 14 mil) let's say 6 for Murray as well (8 mil) 3 each for Kahun and McCann (2 mil) someone to fill Schultz's spot (assuming it's like an ELC, 1 mil) plus filling out HS's and such uses the rest of that, and leaves Simon and MP (who's gonna want to get paid) left unsigned... Say rust goes, but then you need to find someone to replace him... That's at least another mil gone probably... It's not looking good (plz trade Horny/JJ)