Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said last week he didn’t want to make “an aggressive mistake” on July 1st, the first day of free agency, so the moves he did make were not splashy, but he did manage to acquire former 39-goal scorer Andrei Kuzmenko on a one-year contract for $5 million.
Kuzmenko had thirteen goals and twelve assists last season for the LA Kings before missing the final 25 games with a knee injury. He scored 39 goals for Vancouver in 2022-23.
Forward Nick Robertson was acquired in a trade with Toronto for a fourth-round draft choice next year. He’s a restricted free agent who is arbitration-eligible and he’s the brother of Dallas star Jason Robertson, who has long been rumored to be a target for the Penguins.
Two veteran defensemen, ex-Capital Trevor van Riemsdyk and Declan Carlile, who was in Tampa Bay last season, both signed two-year deals. Also, reserve forward Atley Calvert, who played for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year, signed a one-year entry-level contract.
With a predominantly right-handed shooting defensive corps, assistant general manager Jason Spezza says the Pens still have plenty of time to add players, and players who can play on their off sides.
Spezza was asked specifically about the Pens’ pursuit of a trade with Dallas for high-scoring forward Jason Robertson.
Jason Robertson scored 45 goals with 51 assists last season. His brother Nick, who the Penguins signed yesterday, scored sixteen goals with sixteen assists last season for Toronto.
The Pens lost five free agents, four of whom were significant contributors last season. Defenseman Ryan Shea signed with Edmonton, goaltender Stuart Skinner with Winnipeg, forward Noel Aciari with Philadelphia, and defenseman Connor Clifton with Boston. Minor league forward Boko Imama signed with Florida.
NHL
The biggest deal of the day in the NHL yesterday was the trade of Pittsburgh native Vinnie Trochek from the Rangers to Utah for defenseman Sean Durzi, prospect Cole Beaudoin, and a third round draft choice.
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