Penguins A to Z: Marcus Pettersson is still looking for that next step

With the Penguins’ 2021-22 season coming to a quick ending in the first round of the playoffs, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 54 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until the 2022-23 season — with the organization, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari to top-six winger Jason Zucker.

Marcus Pettersson

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Age: 26

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 177 pounds

2021-22 NHL statistics: 72 games, 19 points (two goals, 17 assists)

Contract: In the second year of a five-year contract with a salary cap hit of $4,025,175. Pending unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason.

(Note: The final two years of Pettersson’s contract contains a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a list of eight teams he would not accept a trade to.)

Acquired: Trade, Dec. 3, 2018

Last season: After plateauing during the 2020-21 campaign, Marcus Pettersson admitted he failed to reach the next step of his development.

He appeared to get off to a good start toward that pursuit to open the 2021-22 season. In his first eight games of the season, he posted a steady four points (one goal, three assists). The bulk of that came when he posted a career-best three points (one goal, two assists) during a 7-1 home win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 23.

Whatever momentum Pettersson appeared to generate at the onset of the season was stunted at the start of November when he missed four of five games due to issues related to covid-19.

Primarily deployed on the second pairing with regular partner John Marino, Pettersson was a regular in the lineup for the next 46 consecutive games, recording 10 assists over that span.

On March 13, Pettersson was a healthy scratch for the first time during his tenure with the Penguins. After being a healthy scratch for six of 17 games throughout portions of March and April, Pettersson dressed for the final 13 games of the regular season and finished on a strong note with a goal and two assists during the Penguins’ regular season finale, a 5-3 home win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In the postseason, during the Penguins’ first-round loss to the New York Rangers, Pettersson recorded two assists in seven games.

After the Penguins were eliminated, Pettersson suited for Sweden in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship tournament. Appearing in four games, he did not record a point.

The future: There is plenty of reason to be curious about Pettersson’s status with the team.

The Penguins have a surplus of NHL-caliber left-handed defensemen in veterans Brian Dumoulin, Mike Matheson and Pettersson, each of whom commands a salary cap hit in excess of $4 million. Additionally, top prospect P.O Joseph just enjoyed a career year at the American Hockey League level.

With the Penguins dealing with a potential cap crunch this offseason, making a trade from an area of strength would conceivably clear some money off the books while also opening up a spot in the lineup for Joseph.

Given Pettersson’s limited development over the past two seasons, he could be a prime candidate to be traded. But finding another team willing to take on his contract — which has a modified no-trade clause in the final two seasons — is easier said than done.

Pettersson seems to have all the skills to be a more impactful player. He has some size — specifically, a really long reach — plenty of speed, some underlying offensive skills and defensive acumen. Yet, Penguins coaches never seem to want to use him as anything other than a second-pairing defenseman and almost strictly in even-strength situations.

In terms of special teams, Pettersson’s average ice time per game on the power play (16 seconds) and penalty kill (18 seconds) was negligible.

Regardless of where Pettersson plays next season, he is still looking for that next step.

Follow the Penguins all season long.