Penguins Re-sign Riikola

I confess I was a bit surprised to read on Saturday that the Penguins had re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Juuso Riikola to a new two-year deal at an average annual value of $1.15 million.

Not that I don’t applaud the move. I do. I like Riikola…a lot. He’s mobile, plays with a bit of edge and possesses a hard if underutilized shot. It’s just that the coaching staff, or at least the former staff, didn’t seem too enamored of him.

Could this be another instance where there’s a disconnect between coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Jim Rutherford regarding matters of personnel?

Based on Rutherford’s comments when announcing the move, it’s very likely.

“He’s (Riikola’s) done a good job…