The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-singed a pair of young skaters ahead of restricted free agency.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins have a long offseason ahead of them, but they are locking up their key young players before the heat of summer arrives. The Penguins announced back-to-back signings keeping a pair of youngsters around for a couple of seasons.

It was announced that defenseman Jack St. Ivany and forward Jonathan Gruden have signed respective deals worth $775,000 annually. St. Ivany’s deal lasts three seasons while Gruden for just two years. Both deals are two-way contracts.

St. Ivany impressed many in the Penguins organization throughout the 2023-24 season between the American Hockey League, and his first stint at the NHL level. In 14 games with the Penguins, St. Ivany provided a youth and a little bit of everything for the lineup. He recorded an assist while playing great shutdown hockey.

Three years for St. Ivany is very well deserved for the player and will take him through the 2026-27 season. He will be an unrestricted free agent by the end of the deal.

Gruden played in 13 games and scored his first career goal in the 2023-24 season. There is a chance Gruden can start the 2024-25 season at the NHL level, but he’ll have some work to do during training camp and the preseason.

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