The Pittsburgh Penguins saw a lot of names leave, but also a lot of names join their roster.
The Pittsburgh Penguins saw a lot of names leave, but also a lot of names join their roster.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were a busy bunch on the opening day of free agency, so why not give you a brief rundown to sum up what changes have come or may be coming.
Pre-Free Agency
Before the official opening of free agency, the Penguins were busy making deal with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions and an entire entry draft.
Reilly Smith- Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2024 third-round draft pick. Smith’s contract runs for two more seasons at $5 million annual average value (AAV) each year.
NHL Draft- The Penguins made six selections in the 2023 NHL Draft, highlighted by 14th overall selection Brayen Yager.
New Arrivals
The Penguins signed seven new faces in the opening hours of the 2023 free agent period; here is each name and what their new contract looks like.
Matt Nieto: Two years, $900,000 AAV
Noel Acciari: Three years, $2 million AAV
Ryan Graves: Six years, $4.5 million AAV
Alex Nedeljkovic: One year, $1.5 million AAV
Lars Eller: Two years, $2.45 million AAV
Joona Koppanen: Two years, $775,000 AAV
Ryan Shea: One year, $775,000 AAV
Staying Put
After a lot of discussions and speculation around other goalies throughout the NHL, the Penguins decided Tristan Jarry was the best options going forward.
And not just going forward one step at a time, rather Kyle Dubas penned Jarry to a five-year contract worth $5.375 million annually.
Only time will tell if this deal works for both parties, but Dubas stated how confident he was not only in Jarry’s ability as a goalie, but his return to form as a healthy starting netminder.
Recent Departures
Jason Zucker: One year, $5.3 AAV million with the Arizona Coyotes
Brian Dumoulin: Two years, $3.15 AAV million with the Seattle Kraken
Nick Bonino: One year, $800,000 AAV with the New York Rangers
Dmitry Kulikov: One year, $1 AAV million with the Florida Panthers
Ryan Poehling: One year, $1.4 AAV million with the Philadelphia Flyers
Josh Archibald: Two years, $800,000 AAV with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Dustin Toarski: Two years, $775,000 AAV with the Buffalo Sabres
Still Waiting
Danton Heinen is the sole member of the 2022-23 Penguins to not have a contract after the first day of free agency.
That doesn’t mean he won’t find a team, but his 65 games and 22 points last season left a lot to be desired.
There is also still speculation around the Penguins kicking the tires on Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
The rumor ran hot all day during the opening of free agency after it was reported the Penguins were in direct contact with the defenseman.
Dubas did not deny the conversations, but kept as much as he could under wraps.
The deal may not be close to done, but it looks like the Penguins are still involved in the future Hall of Fame defender.
Epilogue
The Penguins started day two of free agency with three signings, all as depth options.
The return of Radim Zohorna was arguably the biggest splash of the names that also featured Magnus Hellberg and Marc Johnstone.
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Penguins Defenseman Brian Dumoulin Signs Deal with Kraken
Penguins Sign Lars Eller to Two-Year Contract
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