Penguins Free Agent Update: Day 1 (and ½)

As anticipated, the Penguins didn’t do a cannonball splash into the deep end of the free-agency pool yesterday. However, they did wade into the shallow end to make a handful of signings.

In order of the announced signings, the first UFA to join the fold was 27-year-old defenseman Parker Wotherspoon. A left shot, the former Islander and Bruin has okay size, checking in at 6’1” 192. He’s regarded as a good skater who makes a good first pass and he plays with a bit of an edge.

Like Connor Clifton, his recently acquired former teammate, Wotherspoon will drop the gloves and can handle himself, as this fight with Corey Perry will attest.

While his boxcars (a goal and 16 points in 108 NHL games) aren’t anything to write home about, his JFresh WAR chart is off the charts. Perhaps a sneaky good addition by Kyle Dubas.

The next two additions we’re familiar with. A day after non-qualifying both, perhaps to save a bit of coin, Dubas signed forwards Philip Tomasino and Connor Dewar to one-year deals, the former for $1.75 million and the latter $1.1 million.

I’m pleased with both signings, particularly Dewar, a feisty bottom-sixer who plays much bigger than his modest 5’10” 192 frame. I thought Tomasino displayed flashes, especially in the seams and around the opposing net.

To me, both deserved a second look.

Dubas also added a second left-shot defenseman, 28-year-old Caleb Jones, on a 2-year deal with an AAV of $900 K. I confess, I’m ambivalent about this one. A journeyman who’s played for four different teams in seven seasons, three in the last three, Jones decidedly ain’t his big brother (the Panthers’ Seth Jones) in terms of ability or size (6’1” 194).

Jones actually did a decent job in a second-pairing role for a terrible Blackhawks team a couple seasons back. However, he’s regarded as error prone.

Sounds a lot like the player he’s most likely replacing, Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

The splashy news, which turned out to be false, was that the Pens had signed Anthony Mantha (keep reading for an update), a big slow forward. Instead, they signed another big, slow forward, Justin Brazeau, to a two-year deal at an AAV of $1.5 million.

A late bloomer who has previous ties to Dubas, the huge 27-year-old right wing (6’6” 227) tallied a so-so 11 goals and 22 points in 76 games spilt between the Bruins and Wild. Although a glacial skater, Brazeau will forecheck and hit (if he can catch you) and set up shop in front of the net once the play develops.

However, don’t expect the second coming of Tom Wilson. Brazeau’s got zero pro fights, unless you count this do-si-do with ex-Pen Dmitry Kulikov. He’s more like a slightly upgraded second coming of “the Big Z,” Radim Zohorna.

Sandwiched between the signings, the Pens peddled goalie Alex Nedeljkovic to the Sharks for a third-round pick in the 2018 draft. Although the move makes perfect sense with Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov waiting in the wings, I’ll miss his fire and spunk. He was one of the guys who truly cared.

All the best, Neddy.

Penguins Do Sign Mantha!

This just in. The Pens did wind up signing Mantha, for one year at $2.5 million.

Once upon a time viewed as a rising star following back-to-back 20-goal seasons for the Red Wings, the massive (6’5” 234) forward’s career went off the rails during the Covid seasons. He’s been fighting to get back on track since.

Mantha did pop 23 goals combined for the Caps and Vegas in ’23-24. However he missed nearly all of last season as Flames property while recovering from ACL surgery.

Despite the knock of not playing up to his size, Mantha…like Wotherspoon…has a very impressive WAR chart.

We’re certainly a different team today, especially up front after signing twin Clydesdales, Mantha and Brazeau.

Whether we’re a better team remains to be seen.