Believe it or not, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a relatively active offseason — but you’d never know it.
While the organization made a flurry of moves this offseason, many were peripheral, low-impact moves that likely won’t affect the Penguins much. That’s not to say there aren’t more changes on the horizon — general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said suggested he still wants to add some younger talent to the roster – but there weren’t many, if any, left.
Here’s a little update on each Penguins’ offseason moves in chronological order and their likely impact on the NHL roster:
Signed striker Tristan Broz to a three-year entry-level contract:
Impact: Low. Has a chance to make an NHL roster this season, but will likely start the season in the AHL.
Signed forward Sam Poulin to a two-year, $1.55 million, two-way contract:
Impact: Low. He will fight for a spot on the roster, but will probably start the season in the AHL.
Signed goalkeeper Filip Larsson to a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million:
Impact: Low. He will probably spend the season in the AHL.
Signed striker Valtteri Puustinen to a two-year contract worth $1.55 million:
Impact: High. Puustinen will be on the NHL roster barring any major changes, and he could compete for a top-six spot if the Penguins don’t sign anyone else to fill that hole. He showed flashes of being an impact player last season:
Valtteri Puustinen’s shooting difficulties for most of the season have less to do with his actual ability and more to do with not having enough time/space to fire his shot.
When he has enough time/space… pic.twitter.com/sNldq5vLxg
-Danny Shirey (@DannyShireyPGH) March 17, 2024
Signed defenseman John St. Ivany to a three-year, two-way contract worth $2.33 million:
Impact: Medium. St. Ivany looked great in a small sample size last season and he will challenge for a regular role on the Pens’ third pairing. He’s probably on track to compete with John Ludvig for the sixth or seventh defensive spot.
Signed forward Jonathan Gruden to a two-year, $1.55 million, two-way contract:
Impact: Low. Gruden hopes to start the season in the AHL.
Signed defenseman Filip Kral to a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000:
Impact: Low. This is an AHL contract.
Signed goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year, $5 million extension:
Impact: High. This is the only move that, while a little puzzling, could have significant ramifications. First-choice goalkeeper Tristan Jarry has been the subject of trade rumors this summer. Signing Nedeljkovic provides the necessary security even if Jarry stays, as his only other viable option at the moment 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 expects to play a prominent role in the Pens’ bottom six, likely on the third line. It remains to be seen where he will fit positionally, as current third-line center Lars Eller has been involved in trade rumors this summer.
Acquired forward Bennett MacArthur from Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Lukas Svejkovsky:
Impact: Low. This will more than likely end up being an AHL transaction.
Signed defenseman Mac Hollowell to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. Defensive movement in depth. 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 starting NHL 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 contract worth $1.25 million:
Impact: Medium. Beauvillier hopes to have a role on the Pens’ fourth line.
Signed forward Jimmy Huntington to a one-year contract worth $775,000:
Impact: Low. This is an AHL contract.
Signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $2.75 million contract:
Impact: Medium. Grzelcyk appears to be the second or third left defenseman on an NHL roster.
Signed forward Bokondji Imama to a one-year contract worth $775,000:
Impact: Low. Imama could be a good depth option at EAP. AHL contract.
Signed defenseman Nathan Clurman to a one-year, $775,000 contract:
Impact: Low. Defensive depth signature. AHL contract.
Signed forward Emil Bemstrom to a one-year contract worth $775,000:
Impact: Medium. This is a regular NHL contract, which means there’s a good chance he makes the roster as the 13th forward.
Signed forward Blake Lizotte to a two-year, $3.7 million contract:
Impact: High. Lizotte may play a bigger role than you might 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 contract worth $1.55 million:
Impact: Medium. Aho’s deal is at the NHL level, likely guaranteeing him a spot as the No. 6 or No. 7 defenseman on an NHL roster.
Signed forward Corey Andonovski to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000:
Impact: Low. Probably starts the season in the AHL.
Signed forward Tanner Howe to a three-year entry-level contract:
Impact: Low. Likely to play junior this season for the Regina Pats of the WHL.
Signed defenseman Harrison Brunicke to an initial three-year contract:
Impact: Low. Probable junior players this season for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.
Signed forward Brayden Yager to a three-year entry-level contract:
Impact: Medium. Although Yager will likely return to juniors this season for the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors, it has been indicated that Yager will have a chance to compete for a spot on an NHL roster this season. The nine-match Test is at stake here.
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