Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jan Rutta has reportedly found his new home and will be taking his talents overseas.
According to Blick's Gregory Beaud, Geneve-Servette of the Swiss National League will be signing Rutta.
Rutta was one of the top unrestricted free agent (UFA) defensemen still available for the taking. Due to this, it certainly seemed possible that he could have landed a contract or at least a professional tryout (PTO) from an NHL club. However, based on this report, Rutta will instead be continuing his career overseas.
Rutta spent the 2022-23 season with the Penguins, where he posted three goals, six assists, nine points, 70 blocks, 71 hits, and a plus-3 rating. His time with the Penguins ended when he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in the deal that brought star blueliner Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh.
In 417 career NHL games split between the Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Penguins, and Sharks, Rutta recorded 23 goals, 75 assists, 98 points, and a plus-25 rating.
