Veteran Matt Cullen isn’t ready to hang up his skates just yet.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Cullen will be returning to the NHL for his 20th season next fall. The 39-year-old had a good 2016 campaign with the Penguins, as he posted 16 goals and 32 points in 82 games while playing in a bottom-six role. He was also a key contributor on the penalty-kill and won 55.7 percent of his face-offs.
Some expected Cullen to go out on top after winning the cup with the Penguins, but he’d rather take another crack at Lord Stanley. The only questions is where will that be?
Remaining in Pittsburgh would likely be his preference, but can the Penguins make it work under the cap?
Cullen will likely want a raise from the one-year, $800,000 contract he signed last off-season. Right now, the Penguins are $1.38 million over the $73 million salary cap, per General Fanager.
Cullen spoke with #pens GM Jim Rutherford; he's hoping it works out in PIT but is respectful to fact that they're right up against cap
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 28, 2016
Pittsburgh has most of their key pieces locked up for 2016-17. Only Cullen, Tom Sestito, Justin Schultz, Ben Lovejoy and Jeff Zatkoff are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1st.