{"time":1782935048282,"blocks":[{"id":"QtQ7OxDtpQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Even if the Pittsburgh Penguins aren't about to hand out any overpays in NHL free agency, that never meant they would avoid signings that could help the team in the short-term and in the long-term."}},{"id":"OtJD8XTT42","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"And they made another move on Day One of free agency that definitely addresses the short-term."}},{"id":"2W9FNGD0Ud","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"On Wednesday, the Penguins inked winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million deal. Kuzmenko, 30, was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline in 2025 and stayed there through the end of the 2025-26 season, recording 18 goals and 42 points in 74 games during that time. 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Injuries, inconsistency, and lack of placement have inhibited him from reaching higher potential, and the latest in the injury saga came last season when he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. "}},{"id":"Yp0UQH7QrU","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Still, even at 30, there is some upside potential to Kuzmenko if he can remain healthy. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound forward is a threat to score goals and is a nice power play piece, giving the Penguins options in their middle-six. He is also capable of playing both wings, but the left-shot has preferred the right wing throughout his career. 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"}},{"id":"lPsK64O_6G","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The addition of Kuzmenko adds to an already-crowded crop of forwards, as the Penguins also added restricted free agents Hendrix Lapierre and Nicholas Robertson. According to Puckpedia, without the three RFAs in Lapierre, Robertson, and Chinakhov, the Penguins already have 13 forward listed on their NHL roster, which includes Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty."}},{"id":"LMg2HF1rBo","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":" With young forwards like Hayes and McGroarty pushing for roster spots from the AHL, it will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh decides to move on from one or more veterans on their NHL roster."}},{"id":"IDEq-j7ixA","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-acquire-nick-robertson-from-maple-leafs","meta":{"title":"Penguins Acquire Nick Robertson From Maple Leafs","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-acquire-nick-robertson-from-maple-leafs","description":"The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs.","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/cbcbaf98-95fc-4ee9-9ca1-6f8658547a6a.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"4goi7-KlUU","type":"delimiter","data":{}},{"id":"QfALk6EN8k","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more! 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Penguins Should Try To Sign Best UFA Defender Left