Pittsburgh Penguins sign Ryan Graves and Noel Acciari to multi-year deals

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a couple signings outside of their crease, locking up defenseman Ryan Graves to a six-year deal with a $4.5 million cap hit and center Noel Acciari to a three-year contract with a $2 million cap hit.

Graves, 28, was an unrestricted free agent following a three-year contract with a $3,166,667 cap hit that he originally signed with the Colorado Avalanche. He sees a $1,333,333 increase in annual average value, and his $4.5 million cap hit will also be the highest of his career.

Graves had another season on par with his usual production, with 8 goals, 18 assists, and 26 points in 78 regular season games with the New Jersey Devils, just two points shy of his career-high of 28 that he hit in 2021-22. He also had one assist in 10 playoff games as the Devils went to the second round of the playoffs before they were eliminated in five games by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Acciari, 31, was an unrestricted free agent after the conclusion of a one-year $1.25 million contract that he originally signed with the St. Louis Blues. He sees a $750,000 increase in annual average value, and his $2 million cap hit will also be the highest of his career.

Acciari is coming off one of his more productive seasons, with 14 goals, 9 assists, and 23 points in 77 regular season games with the St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s the second most points he’s gotten in a single season in his career after his 27-point season in 66 games with the Florida Panthers in 2019-20. He also had two goals in 11 playoff games for the Leafs as he helped them win their first playoff series in 19 seasons.

The Penguins also signed winger Joona Koppanen to a two-year deal with a $775,000 cap hit. He had an assist in five games with the Boston Bruins, along with 12 goals, 23 assists, and 35 points in 64 regular season games with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, and two assists in four playoff games.