Penguins extend Patric Hornqvist with five-year deal

With a consistent record of 20-goal seasons and a dazzling playoff resume to his credit, Patric Hornqvist would have been one of the most sought-after targets when the next NHL free-agent signing period begins July 1.

He passed up that opportunity to spend the next five years on a team with a great chance to win.

The Penguins made a contract extension for Hornqvist official Tuesday, announcing the signing of the 31-year-old winger to a five-year deal with an average annual salary of $5.3 million.

"For me, it was not hard," Hornqvist said. "My mind and my family, we all want to stay here. I think we have a great chance to win here every single year. That's what it's all about. I'm so glad this is over with now so I can start playing and not focus on that."

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford rarely negotiates contract extensions in the middle of a season, so Hornqvist knew the team was serious about keeping him when talks started around Christmastime.

"Obviously you know the ball is rolling," Hornqvist said.

Hornqvist said the key element of the contract, for him, was its length.

"That's the thing that we wanted. We wanted those five years and we got it," Hornqvist said. "I'm happy about that. I'm going to be trying my best here for five years."

He expressed no concern that his physical style of play will slow down his production on the back end of the deal.

"I've been playing in this league for 10 years and I feel great," Hornqvist said. "I'm blessed to have the opportunity to play five more years."

Hornqvist's salary is in line with the going rate for power forwards with a proven track record of scoring goals. Two summers ago, Andrew Ladd got a seven-year deal from the Islanders with a $5.5 million annual salary. The extension T.J. Oshie signed with Washington last year was for $5.75 million per season for eight years.

After signing Hornqvist, the Penguins set themselves up for a tight but not untenable salary cap situation next season.

They have 17 players under contract for a total of $70 million. The cap is expected to be between $78 and $82 million. Most of the remaining space the Penguins have will go to raises for restricted free agents Bryan Rust, Riley Sheahan, Tom Kuhnhackl and Jamie Oleksiak.

With Hornqvist signed and Ian Cole and Ryan Reaves traded away, the only pending unrestricted free agent on the team's roster is fourth-line forward Carter Rowney.

"You got Geno, Sid and Phil and Tanger signed for a long time. Even Dumoulin and Olli too," Hornqvist said. "I think we have something great here. I just have to go out there and prove it."

Jonathan Bombulie is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jbombulie@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BombulieTrib.