PHN Extra: How the Penguins Plan to Replace Justin Schultz

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Justin Schultz for four months and possibly longer as the defenseman gets back into game shape. Schultz fractured his lower left leg Saturday and had successful surgery Monday. The loss of the Penguins second pairing right-side defenseman will require a large revamp of the Penguins defense.

Monday, the Penguins practiced with a rotating group of defensemen in the second and third pairings. Brian Dumoulin and Kris Letang remain the top pairing, but everything else was in flux.

“We’re losing a really good player in (Schultz), but that’s the old cliche ‘next man up.’ Everyone has to do their part and step up a little bit to make up for it,” said Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson, as he shook his head at the news. “It’s going to be by committee.”