Ahead of free agency, Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins]' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas said he wanted to improve the team's left-side defense. And he appears to be putting some names into the mix for next season. On Wednesday, the Penguins signed former Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/] defenseman Alexander Alexeyev to a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000. This comes after the Capitals did not qualify Alexeyev, as he was an RFA. A former first-round pick by Washington in 2018 (31st overall), Alexeyev, 25, is a big, physical presence on the blue line. He uses his 6-foot-4, 229-pound frame to shut down opponents and clear the net-front, and that bigger, "hard-to-play-against" style has been a point of emphasis for GM and POHO Kyle Dubas in terms of adding to the roster, especially on the back end. In 80 career regular season games with the Capitals, Alexeyev has registered a goal and eight points. He also appeared in 10 playoff games for Washington in 2025. Alexeyev - along with the newly signed Parker Wotherspoon [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/nhl-news-penguins-sign-former-bruins-defenseman], prospect Owen Pickering, and veteran blueliners Ryan Shea and Ryan Graves - figures to be in the mix for a larger role in the top-four for the Penguins this season. NHL News: Penguins Sign Big Former Oilers Defenseman [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9f477ebc-48ad-4411-b80f-0f8f18adc490.webp] NHL News: Penguins Sign Big Former Oilers Defenseman The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins </a>are adding more size to their defensive depth. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/nhl-news-penguins-sign-big-former-oilers-defenseman] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more! Feature image credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
