Believe it or not, the Pittsburgh Penguins have actually had a relatively active offseason – but you’d never know it.
Although the organization has made a flurry of moves this offseason, many were peripheral, low-impact moves that likely won’t move the needle very much for the Penguins. That’s not to say there aren’t more moves on the horizon – general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas has suggested that he still wants to add some younger talent to the roster – but there aren’t many left, if anything.
Here’s a mini-refresher on each Penguins’ offseason moves in chronological order and their likely impact on the NHL roster:
Signed forward Tristan Broz to a three-year, entry-level contract:
Impact: Low. Has a shot at cracking the NHL roster this season, but he likely begins the season in the AHL.
Signed forward Sam Poulin to a two-year, two-way, $1.55 million deal:
Impact: Low. Will battle for a roster spot, but likely begins season in the AHL.
Signed goaltender Filip Larsson to a two-year, two-way, $1.55 million deal:
Impact: Low. Will likely spend the season in the AHL.
Signed forward Valtteri Puustinen to a two-year, $1.55 million contract:
Impact: High. Puustinen will be on the NHL roster barring any major changes, and he could challenge for a spot in the top-six if the Penguins do not acquire anyone else to fill that hole. He showed flashes of being an impact player last season:
Valtteri Puustinen’s finishing struggles for most of the season have less to do with his actual ability and more to do with not having enough time/space to unleash his shot.
When he does have enough time/space … pic.twitter.com/sNldq5vLxg
— Danny Shirey (@DannyShireyPGH) March 17, 2024
Signed defenseman John St. Ivany to a three-year, two-way, $2.33 million contract:
Impact: Medium. St. Ivany looked pretty good in a small sample size last season, and he will challenge for a regular role on the Pens’ third pairing. He’s likely on track to compete against John Ludvig for the sixth or seventh defensive spot.
Signed forward Jonathan Gruden to a two-year, two-way, $1.55 million contract:
Impact: Low. Gruden figures to begin the season in the AHL.
Signed defenseman Filip Kral to a one-year, one-way, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. This is an AHL contract.
Signed goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year, $5 million extension:
Impact: High. This is the one move that, albeit a bit puzzling, could potentially have significant ramifications. Starting goaltender Tristan Jarry has been the subject of trade rumors this summer. Signing Nedeljkovic provides much-needed insurance, even if Jarry stays, since their only other viable option right now is prospect Joel Blomqvist, who should be knocking on the door.
Acquired forward Kevin Hayes, 2025 second round pick from the St. Louis Blues for future considerations:
Impact: High. Hayes figures to play a prominent role in the Pens’ bottom-six, likely on their third line. It still remains to be seen where he’ll fit positionally, as current third line center Lars Eller has been involved in trade rumors this summer.
Acquired forward Bennett MacArthur from the Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Lukas Svejkovsky:
Impact: Low. This ends up more than likely being an AHL transaction.
Signed defenseman Mac Hollowell to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. Depth defensive move. AHL contract.
Signed defenseman Ryan Shea to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. He will need to challenge several other left defensemen to secure the final roster spot, so the likelihood of him being on the NHL starting roster is low.
Acquired a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft from the New York Rangers for forward Reilly Smith:
Impact: None. This was a cap dump trade.
Signed forward Anthony Beauvillier to a one-year, $1.25 million contract:
Impact: Medium. Beauvillier figures to have a role on the Pens’ fourth line.
Signed forward Jimmy Huntington to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. This is an AHL contract.
Signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $2.75 million contract:
Impact: Medium. Grzelcyk figures to be either the second or third-pair left defenseman on the NHL roster.
Signed forward Bokondji Imama to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. Imama may be a good depth option in WBS. AHL contract.
Signed defenseman Nathan Clurman to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. Depth defensive signing. AHL contract.
Signed forward Emil Bemstrom to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Medium. This is a regular NHL contract, meaning there’s a good chance he cracks the roster as a 13th forward.
Signed forward Blake Lizotte to a two-year, $3.7 million contract:
Impact: High. Lizotte may play a larger role than you think. He was good for the Kings in both zones and gives the Penguins another option at center. He has scored 10+ goals twice and has 37 goals and 106 points in 320 career games.
Signed defenseman Sebastian Aho to a two-year, $1.55 million contract:
Impact: Medium. Aho’s deal is at the NHL level, likely securing him a spot as the 6th or 7th defenseman on the NHL roster.
Signed forward Corey Andonovski to a one-year, two-way, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. Likely begins the season in the AHL.
Signed forward Tanner Howe to a three-year, entry-level contract:
Impact: Low. Likely plays in juniors this season for the Regina Pats of the WHL.
Signed defenseman Harrison Brunicke to a three-year, entry-level contract:
Impact: Low. Likely players in juniors this season for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.
Signed forward Brayden Yager to a three-year, entry-level contract:
Impact: Medium. Although Yager likely ends up back in juniors this season for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL, it has been indicated that Yager will have a chance to compete for an NHL roster spot this season. The nine-game trial run is in play here.
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