The Pittsburgh Penguins got some crucial business done on Monday. Today they announced Blake Lizotte signs a much-deserved contract extension with the club. The 28-year-old forward signed a three-year pact worth $6.75 million. The deal carries an average annual value of $2.25 million against the salary cap, PuckPedia reported. That’s a fair number, considering the going rate for some of the league’s better bottom-six forwards.
Lizotte Signs Extension for Key Reason
Lizotte is in the final year of a two-year deal worth $3.7 million. Furthermore, Lizotte joined the Penguins after the Los Angeles Kings failed to extend him a qualifying offer during the 2024 offseason. That situation immediately made him an unrestricted free agent. Then, Lizotte signs a two-year deal with the Penguins, the one currently expiring.
Lizotte tallied 11 goals and 20 points in 59 games with the Penguins last season. This year, Lizotte has scored five goals and 10 points in 35 games. He has an outside chance to top his career-highs set in 2022-23, when he scored 11 goals and 34 points in 81 games.
What Does This Mean for the Pens
There’s a key reason why Blake Lizotte signs an extension on Monday. He’s been the best penalty killer for the Penguins this season. The Penguins are seventh in the NHL with an 82.3% penalty kill rate.
In particular, Lizotte leads Penguins forwards by averaging 2:32 of shorthanded ice time per game this season. His play on the penalty kill has been crucial in keeping the Penguins above expectations this season.
As such, Lizotte signs an extension with Pittsburgh thanks to his reliable defensive play. Moreover, MoneyPuck shows that Lizotte stars 28 percent of his shifts in the defensive zone, with only 1.6% of his stats in the O-Zone. His 46% Corsi rating suggests he’s predominantly a defensive forward.
There’s one other number that’s made him a serviceable fourth-line center. Lizotte has a 51.4% face-off clip. While hardly elite, it’s a good number to have for a defensive forward, particularly on the penalty kill.
Ultimately, it makes sense that Lizotte signs an extension with the Penguins on Monday. He’s been a key reason why the Penguins remain in the playoff hunt this season. The club has exceeded expectations, when most pundits picked them to finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images