Recapping Day 1 of the NHL Free Agency Period for Penguins
Tuesday began the first official day for the NHL’s free agency period. Here is a recap of the moves.
The first move the Penguins made for Day 1 of the free agency period, was signing defenseman Parker Wotherspoon to a two-year contract with a $1 million AAV.
Last season, Wotherspoon played in 55 games with the Boston Bruins; recording 75 hits and 66 blocked shots.
The profile on Wotherspoon is a strong defender with mobility and solid, puck passing ability. At just $1 million, it’s a bargain for a third pairing dman.
A pair of forwards are back in the mix, as the Penguins have re-signed Connor Dewar and Phillip Tomasino.
Dewar was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in March. The 5’10 center scored four goals in 17 games with Pittsburgh.
Tomasino joined the Penguins last November, as he was obtained from the Nashville Predators, in exchange for a 2027 fourth round draft pick. He recorded 11 goals in 50 games.
Dewar and Tomasino both showed flashes of being serviceable, bottom six forwards.
Another forward was added from the outside, as Justin Brazeau inked a two-year deal worth an AAV of $1.5 million.
In played 57 games last season with Boston, Brazeau scored 10 goals. At the trade deadline, he was moved to the Minnesota Wild. While with Minnesota, Brazeau registered only one goal in 19 games played. Combined for both teams, he compiled 123 hits.
Brazeau is a big-sized, forward at 6’6, 220 pounds. He will add size and physicality to Pittsburgh’s fourth line, along with some scoring ability. Penguins president of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas, has previous ties to Brazeau, as he signed him to an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies in April of 2019.
Although Tuesday began the league’s free agency period, the Pens made their first notable trade of the offseason, as they moved veteran goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks for a 2028 third round pick.
Nedeljkovic was in net for two seasons with the Penguins - by and large as the backup to Tristan Jarry.
In 76 games for Pittsburgh, Nedeljkovic posted a 3.05 goals against average and a save percentage of .898.
Given the surplus of goaltending depth that the Penguins currently have, it’s not a surprise they made a veteran like Nedeljkovic expendable.
The Penguins brought in more depth on their blue line, with Caleb Jones, who signed a two-year contract, which includes a $900,000 cap hit.
Jones appeared in six games with the Los Angeles Kings this past season, but spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.
Over parts of seven NHL seasons, Jones has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and the Kings. He’s the younger brother of Seth Jones, who became a first time Stanley Cup champion this year with the Florida Panthers.