Justin Schultz Returns to Kraken in Player Development Role

In an exciting turn of events, former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz has rejoined the Seattle Kraken in a player development capacity. After wrapping up his NHL playing career, Schultz is stepping into a new role that promises to leverage his extensive experience on the ice.

Schultz, who played his last two seasons with the Kraken, transitioned to HC Lugano in Switzerland’s National League during the 2024 NHL off-season. Unfortunately, he announced his retirement early in the 2024-25 season after contributing six assists in just eight games. Now, he is poised to make an impact off the ice, returning to the organization that marked the final chapter of his playing days.

During his five-season stint with the Penguins from 2015-16 to 2019-20, Schultz solidified his reputation, appearing in 234 games and tallying 22 goals and 91 assists for a total of 113 points, along with a plus-43 rating. His contributions helped the Penguins secure two Stanley Cup championships, underscoring his importance to the team during that era.

Over his entire career, Schultz played 745 NHL games spanning 12 seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Kraken. He accumulated 71 goals and 253 assists, amassing 324 points in total. As he embarks on this new journey with the Kraken, fans and players alike are eager to see how his insights and expertise will shape the next generation of talent.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.