Pettersson Tries to Block Noise; Sources Indicate No Contract Talks

DETROIT — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson did not have a fun New Years Eve.

The 28-year-old 6-foot-3 defenseman, who returned to the lineup for the first time in 17 days, did not have his typical stable, shutdown performance and was on the ice for three goals against the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 win Tuesday.

Wednesday, Pittsburgh Hockey Now spoke briefly with the defenseman about his pending free agency and the noise of the trade rumors. When we asked Pettersson about the rumors and how he’s dealing with the situation, there was a pause, and an audible deep breath.

“You’ve got to keep it out of your mind and just play the game,” Pettersson told PHN. “And that’s what I’m going to focus on. So that’s all I’m going to say about it, honestly.”

Multiple sources confirmed to PHN that there have been no contract talks between the Penguins and Pettersson, who is a pending unrestricted free agent on July 1. It is also believed there are none scheduled.

Pettersson, a reliable left-side defenseman, has appeared on nearly every national outlet’s list of top trade candidates because he remains without a contract and there have been no indications one is forthcoming. Further, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is in the midst of stockpiling future assets and revamping the roster, hoping to establish another decades long run of sustainable competitiveness.

As he looks for what comes next, Pettersson has not been as consistently good as he was in the past couple of seasons. The fluxuating Penguins’ defense has certainly played a role, as have the struggles of the team’s top defensemen, and his own situation.

He was critical of his performance Tuesday night. Pettersson was on the ice for three goals against, though one a Detroit power play goal, and the other was a cherry-picking breakaway goal by Jonatan Berggren.

“I was on the ice for all three (goals), so other than that, (I felt) pretty good (about my return),” Pettersson said of his first game back. “But yeah, I’ve got to be better.”

Pettersson has 13 points (2-11-13) in 33 games. Last season, the Penguins did not have substantial talks with pending free agent winger Jake Guentzel who expressed his desire to stay before and after Dubas traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes.