25-year-old Jimmy Huntington has signed a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh on Monday as he attempts to crack the NHL for the first time in his career. The travelling centre won a Calder Cup with Hershey (AHL) in 2023-24 after putting up 16 goals and 33 points in 67 games played during the regular season.
Beauvillier dressed for three separate teams (NSH, CHI, VAN) in 2023-24 and earned himself a one-year contract worth $1,250,000 AAV with Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old failed to find a home last season, picking up five goals, 17 points, eight PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 60 games between the three teams.
Shea made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with the Penguins and has earned himself a one-year, contract extension worth $775,000 to stay in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old has yet to pick up an assist in his 31 NHL games played, but has a goal, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
After eight seasons with Boston, Matt Grzelcyk will join Pittsburgh on a one-year deal worth $2,750,000 AAV. The 30-year-old defensemen appeared in 63 games in 2023-24 and had two goals, 13 points, and 37 PIMs while averaging 17:36 TOI/GP.
Heinen had to wait until a few weeks into the season to sign with Boston off a PTO in 2023-24 and has earned an early contract heading in 2024-25 after signing a two-year deal worth $4.5 million ($2.25M AAV) with Vancouver. The 28-year-old was a natural fit in Boston's lineup last season, with 17 goals and 36 points in 74 games played.
Kolyachonok had a goal and four points in five total games played in 2023-24 with Arizona and signed a two-year contract extension on Monday. The 23-year-old was originally drafted by Florida in 2019 in the 2nd round (52nd overall) and has seven points in 39 total NHL games played across three seasons.
Nedeljkovic had an impressive first season in Pittsburgh, mostly backing up Tristan Jarry all season before leading the Penguins' end-of-the-year playoff push and has earned himself a two-year, $5 million ($2,500,000 AAV) contract extension. The 28-year-old finished 2023-24 with a 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% while appearing in 38 total games.
Desharnais has been a healthy scratch for the Oilers' previous four games but will draw back into the lineup for Game 2 on Monday as he replaces Cody Ceci. The 28-year-old shutdown defender has struggled all playoffs up to this point, with one assist, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 15 games played.
Desharnais was with the extras after Edmonton's morning skate Wednesday indicating he is likely a scratch for Philip Broberg ahead of Game 4. The 28-year-old stay-at-home defenseman has an assist, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 15 games played so far.
Kral spent 2023-24 with the Pelicans of Liiga after leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022-23 but has signed a one-year contract worth $775,000 AAV and will be returning to Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old defenseman had five goals and 37 points in 46 games with the Pelicans and brings two games of NHL experience to Pittsburgh.
Gruden appeared in a career-high 13 games played in 2023-24 and has signed a two-year, $1.550 Million contract extension ($775,000 AAV) with Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The 24-year-old centre was drafted by Ottawa in the fourth-round of the 2018 draft (95th overall) and has appeared in a total of 16 career NHL games played and has one goal, five PIMs and nine SOG.
Pittsburgh completed its third signing of the day on Tuesday by announcing that they have extended defensemen Jack St. Ivany to a three-year, $2.325 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV). The 2018 fourth-round pick (112th overall) made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and had one assist, 11 SOG and two PIMs in 14 games played.
Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that Matt Nieto is expected to miss the next six to seven months after successfully undergoing knee surgery this week and is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 31-year-old left winger appeared in 22 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 and had a goal, four points, 13 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in his first season with the Penguins.
Heinen has not played since Game 5 vs. the Maple Leafs and remains day-to-day. Despite not being available for Game 3, Heinen did participate in Friday's morning skate, which suggests that he's not far from returning to the Bruins' lineup.
Heinen missed Game 6 with an undisclosed injury but was on the ice for Saturday's morning skate and could play in Game 7. So far, Heinen has one assist, five shots and nine hits in five games in the series.
Grzelyck will head to the press box for Game 6 as he is replaced by Kevin Shattenkirk in Boston's lineup on Thursday. The 30-year-old has only appeared in three games in the playoffs thus far, and is without a point, has three SOG and two PIMs while averaging 18:10 TOI/GP.
Heinen missed the morning skate Thursday due to an undisclosed injury and will be out for Game 6 as he is considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old signed with Boston on a PTO this season and has an assist, five SOG and a -1 plus/minus through five games before his injury.
