Penguins Sign Staal to Four-Year Extension

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Thursday that they have signed center Jordan Staal to a four-year contract extension worth $16 million, which averages out to $4 million per season. Staal was eligible for restricted free agency this summer and could have been a likely candidate for an offer sheet. Staal has struggled offensively this season, scoring 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points in 42 games and only has one point in his last nine games played. The Penguins obviously still have high hopes for Staal, who has been the subject of trade rumors over the past year. They feel he has the potential to be a high-scoring forward and important part of the team's future. If Staal can improve his game over the next couple of seasons, he could be a bargain at $4 million per season. If he cannot turn his game around, he will an overpaid, 20-goal scorer that few teams may be interested in acquiring should he hit the trade block.