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Colorado Avalanche left wing Matt Nieto celebrates after scoring to tie the game against the Penguins in the second period Tuesday Dec. 4, 2018 at PPG Paints Arena.
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NHL free agency: Penguins bolster forward depth with signings of Noel Acciari, Matt Nieto, Lars Eller

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

NHL free agency: Penguins bolster forward depth with signings of Noel Acciari, Matt Nieto, Lars Eller

In addition to bringing back Tristan Jarry and welcoming left-shot defenseman Ryan Graves to the organization, the Penguins opened the first day of NHL free agency Saturday by adding forward depth, agreeing to terms with Noel Acciari, Matt Nieto, Lars Eller and Joona Koppanen.

New Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas inked Acciari to a three-year contract worth $2 million annually. Last season, as the Maple Leafs’ general manager, Dubas traded for Acciari and spoke highly of the 31-year-old’s all-around game.

“He's going to be extremely physical every night, able to kill penalties, able to chip in and score, as well,” Dubas said. “But in terms of the toughness that he brings, I think it’s undisputed in the way that he plays — he’ll put any part of his body on the line to block shots.”

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Acciari, 31, slots somewhere into the Penguins’ bottom six. He bounced back nicely from a couple of down campaigns, logging 14 goals and nine assists last season.

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Dubas moved more swiftly on a deal for Nieto, locking him in with a two-year deal worth just $900,000 annually shortly after free agency started. Dubas said that while he was Toronto’s GM, he sought to acquire Nieto and was glad to finally do so.

“He brings great speed, defensively responsible, able to kill penalties, able to chip in, as well,” Dubas said.

Nieto, 30, has played 10 seasons in the league, bouncing back and forth between the Colorado and San Jose organizations. He posted four goals, five assists and a plus-7 rating in his 36 games with Colorado last year.

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The Penguins also added Eller, 34, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 2018 for the Washington Capitals. Dubas alluded to Eller slotting in as the Penguins’ new third-line center. Acciari is also capable of playing there, as are Mikael Granlund and Jeff Carter.

“We're happy that that was a great fit for us because that's a really hard position to fill,” Dubas said. “Someone that can come in and can play that role but also wants to play that role, especially on a team like ours and the way that it's constructed.”

Koppanen, a 25-year-old winger, rounded out the day’s forward signings with a two-year deal with an annual average value of $775,000. He’s mostly been a minor leaguer to this point and made his NHL debut last season for the Boston Bruins. 

The team made another low-profile signing at the end of the evening, inking a one-year deal with defenseman Ryan Shea worth $775,000. Shea spent all of last season with the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate and will likely spend all of this year in the minors as well. 

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On the move

Before discussing the Penguins’ flurry of signings, Dubas began his press conference by thanking Jason Zucker and Brian Dumoulin for their contributions to the organization. Zucker, fresh off scoring the second-most goals in a season of his career, signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes worth $5.3 million.

Dumoulin, meanwhile, is joining the Seattle Kraken on a two-year, $6.3 million contract. He showed signs of regression in his 10th NHL season but played in all 82 games and, of course, won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins.

“I wasn't here with them, but even in the month I've been here, it's been apparent the impact both have made,” Dubas said.

Another netminder

In his opening statement, Dubas also mentioned the Penguins are a goalie short, even after signing Alex Nedeljkovic to a one-year deal, re-signing Jarry and having Casey DeSmith under contract next season. Dubas referenced Jarry’s injury-plagued season last year as a reason for wanting more depth.

“I do think we need one more solid veteran guy,” Dubas said. “And then, let everyone come in here in training camp and let it fly.” 

Sticking with veterans

As of Saturday night, both Granlund, 31, and Jeff Petry, 35, are still Penguins. When asked about their futures with the team, Dubas addressed Petry first, stressing he is a “huge part” of the Penguins’ plans despite being rumored to be in trade talks.

“He's our second-pair right defenseman behind Kris Letang and plays massive minutes for the group,” Dubas said. “I know our staff was out to see him last week in the Detroit area and very impressed with the way his summer’s coming together.”

As for Granlund, Dubas said it’s incumbent on the team to get him back to a level better than the one goal and four points he produced in 21 games for the Penguins last year.

“I'd like to focus with Mikael on how we're moving ahead and moving ahead productively with him so we can have him play to his potential as a Pittsburgh Penguin,” Dubas said.

Around the boards

In other news, a number of forwards besides Zucker left the organization in free agency Saturday.

Ryan Poehling, whom the Penguins declined to retain as a restricted free agent, will sign a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers worth $1.4 million. Nick Bonino is headed to the New York Rangers. Josh Archibald got a two-year contract with Tampa Bay. And Drake Caggiula joined Edmonton.

Third-string goalie Dustin Tokarski, meanwhile, is returning to the Buffalo Sabres organization.

Andrew Destin: adestin@post-gazette.com and Twitter @AndrewDestin1.

First Published: July 1, 2023, 4:41 p.m.
Updated: July 1, 2023, 7:05 p.m.

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