Edmonton Oilers deal Justin Schultz to Pittsburgh for draft pick

Many had reported that the Pens, along with the Boston Bruins, were frontrunners to get Kris Russell from the Calgary Flames.

Schultz’s time in Edmonton has been disappointing after he chose to play for the Oilers in a highly publicized decision to sign with the team in the summer of 2012.

“The 6’2”, 193 pound player has appeared in 45 games with Edmonton this year, scoring three goals and 10 points in 45 contests. Pittsburgh’s system favors those who like to move the puck and Schultz definitely fits in that category. However, all of that is gone now, as it looks like the Oilers have shipped away Purcell, but not to California.

Schultz, 25, is making $3.9 million dollars this season The Penguins said the Oilers would retain 50 percent of the salary for the pending unrestricted free agent. Purcell has 32 points this season, including 21 assists, which would rank fourth on the Panthers’ roster.

The Penguins added that extra defenseman they coveted prior to Monday’s trade deadline.

Goaltender James Reimer was one of the biggest pieces that was moved, with the Maple Leafs dealing him and minor-league forward Jeremy Morin to the San Jose Sharks.

Saturday morning, the Oilers traded goaltender Anders Nilsson to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for goaltender Niklas Lundstrom and a 2016 fifth round pick.