Jamie Oleksiak played 47 regular-season games with the Penguins in 2017-18, plus 12 more in the postseason. Plenty was accomplished. From becoming an NHL regular to the physical presence he provided to career-best offensive numbers across the board and even his first foray into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Just imagine what a little more time will do.
That was the sentiment conveyed by general manager Jim Rutherford on Thursday night after Oleksiak’s three-year, $6.4 million contract extension was announced and the same one echoed by the defenseman himself while speaking on a Friday morning conference call.