via a media release,

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed defenseman Justin Schultz to a three-year contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.

The deal runs through the 2019-20 campaign, and it carries an average annual value of $5.5 million.

"Justin plays a very important role for our team," Rutherford said. "It's very good to know that he will be returning to us for the next three years."

Schultz, 26, was a key catalyst in Pittsburgh's second-straight Stanley Cup win, providing a huge boost to an injury-ravaged defensive group by producing a career year. He ended the regular season tied for seventh among all NHL defensemen with a personal-best 51 points (12G-39A) and a plus-27 in 78 games. His plus-minus total was sixth-best among NHL blueliners, while his offensive numbers represented career highs across the board.