Penguins’ Marino gets 6-year extension
The Pittsburgh Penguins are betting big on defenseman John Marino.
The team signed the 23- year- old Marino on Sunday to a six-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $4.4 million.
The deal caps a meteoric rise for Marino, who was acquired from Edmonton in July 2019 in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Marino impressed as a rookie last season, scoring six goals to go with 20 assists in 56 games to go with a plus-17 rating. He is the sixth rookie defenseman in team history to register 20 assists.
T he contract star ts immediately and runs through the 2026-27 season.
“I don’t know if it’s really hit me yet,” Marino said after signing the deal on the eve of training camp. “But a really cool experience, just thinking back to when you were skating as a kid and your parents were taking you to the rink. All those sacrifices that paid off. It was pretty cool to experience it with my family, friends and teammates.”
Marino was scheduled to become a restricted free agent next summer. Now he can settle in with the Penguins.
“I think it’s important to stay with a team that really wants you, wants you to develop and progress as you go along in your career,” Marino said. “It seems like a great fit with the coaches and the teammates. You might not have some of the same guys around later in your career, but you definitely want to be with an organization that wants you.”
The move gives Pittsburgh added long- term security on the blue line. Marcus Pettersson signed a five-year contract extension last January. BRITISH COLUMBIA GIVES CANUCKS OK TO PLAY >> The Vancouver Canucks received provincial approval Sunday to play in British Columbia this season.
British Columbia Premier John Horgan announced decision on Twitter, saying he had spoken to team owner Francesco Aquillini about the NHL’s return-to-play plans and believes the enhanced health measures mean games can be played safely.
British Columbia is the second province to officially approve NHL games, following Alberta.
Last week, a health official in Manitoba told The Canadian Press that the province was working toward approving games being played in Winnipeg. Officials in Ontario and Quebec have not commented on whether competition has been approved for the three teams in those provinces.
The NHL season is set to resume Jan. 13, with the seven Canadian team playing in one division so they don’t have to cross into the United States for games.
BLACKHAWKS FORWARD STROME GETS 2-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION >>
The Chicago Blackhawks and forward Dylan Strome agreed to a two-year contract extension Sunday.
Strome was a restricted free agent. The extension runs through the 2021-22 season and carries a $3 million salary- cap hit.
The 23-year-old Strome had 12 goals and 26 assists in 58 games last season. With captain Jonathan Toews sidelined by an illness and fellow forwards Kirby Dach and Alex Nylander out with injuries, the play of Strome is more important than ever for Chicago.