The Pittsburgh Penguins were active during the 2023 NHL free agency period, signing several players to bolster their roster for next season. Here is a look at who the Penguins added in free agency and how they might fit into the team’s plans for 2023-2024.
Josh Manson
The Penguins’ biggest free agent acquisition was defenseman Josh Manson, who they signed to a 4-year, $18 million contract. Manson has established himself as a solid defensive defenseman over his 8 NHL seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. He is known for his physicality, shot-blocking, and ability to match up against opponent’s top lines. Manson averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game last season for the Ducks. He finished with 7 goals and 10 assists in 67 games.
With the Penguins, Manson will provide veteran stability and defensive presence on their blue line. He can partner with Kris Letang on the top pair or play on the second pair to form a shutdown duo. Manson will replace the defensive production lost after Brian Dumoulin was selected by Seattle in the 2021 expansion draft. He figures to play a key role for the Penguins next season and beyond.
How Manson Fits
Josh Manson brings the physicality, defense, and experience that the Penguins were seeking for their blue line. He will stabilize their top 4 defense alongside Kris Letang, Jeff Petry, and Marcus Pettersson. Manson is capable of shutting down opponent’s best players, blocking shots, and providing leadership. He has over 45 games of Stanley Cup playoff experience during his career as well that will benefit the Penguins.
Tyler Motte
The Penguins also signed left wing Tyler Motte to a 2-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency. Motte split last season between the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, producing career highs with 16 points and 74 hits in 56 games. Known mostly for his speed and physical checking game, Motte has emerged as a decent bottom-six forward and penalty killer.
In Pittsburgh, Motte seems slated for a fourth line role. He will provide energy, physicality, and penalty killing support in the bottom part of their forward lineup. Motte is a high effort player who can also chip in occasionally on offense. He figures to help solidify the Penguins depth at forward.
How Motte Fits
The Penguins lacked physicality and energy on their fourth line last season. Tyler Motte will help address that need in 2022-2023. He brings speed, checking ability, and penalty killing to their bottom-six forward group. Motte should upgrade their fourth line and allow Evgeni Malkin and the top lines to face easier matchups and assignments.
Jan Rutta
To add more veteran depth on defense, the Penguins signed Jan Rutta to a 3-year, $8.25 million contract. Rutta has played the last four seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. The 31-year old defenseman is not flashy but provides experience, defense, and size at 6’3″ 200 lbs.
Last season for Tampa, Rutta played over 18 minutes per game on the second and third pairs. He finished with 3 goals and 15 assists in 60 games. Rutta figures to slot onto the third pair for Pittsburgh next to either P.O Joseph or Pierre-Olivier Joseph. He provides stability and a right-handed shot to balance their defense corps.
How Rutta Fits
Jan Rutta gives the Penguins another veteran option for their third defense pairing next to P.O. Joseph. Rutta provides size, defensive awareness, and Stanley Cup winning experience to round out their blue line. He can also fill in on the second pair as needed and brings special teams experience from his time in Tampa. Rutta upgrades the Penguins defensive depth.
Summary of 2023 Free Agent Signings
Here is a summary of the players the Penguins added in the 2023 free agent period:
| Player | Position | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Manson | D | 4 years, $18 million |
| Tyler Motte | LW | 2 years, $2.5 million |
| Jan Rutta | D | 3 years, $8.25 million |
These signings address areas of need for the Penguins heading into next season. Manson and Rutta provide defensive stability and experience on the blue line. Motte upgrades their forward depth and fourth line. Overall, Penguins GM Ron Hextall filled holes on defense and bottom six forward in a reasonable manner through free agency.
How the New Players Fit into Lineup
Based on their free agent additions, here is a projected Penguins lineup for 2022-2023:
| Forwards |
|---|
| Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust |
| Jason Zucker – Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell |
| Danton Heinen – Jeff Carter – Kasperi Kapanen |
| Tyler Motte – Teddy Blueger – Brock McGinn |
| Defense |
|---|
| Brian Dumoulin – Kris Letang |
| Marcus Pettersson – Jeff Petry |
| Jan Rutta – P.O. Joseph |
Josh Manson seems likely to pair with Letang on the top pair, while Rutta will stabilize the third pair. Motte brings needed speed and physicality to the fourth line. The Penguins free agent additions addressed roster holes at defense and forward depth.
Keys Points
- Josh Manson stabilizes top 4 defense with experience and physicality
- Tyler Motte brings speed, checking, and PK ability to the bottom 6
- Jan Rutta provides veteran depth and Cup experience on third pair
- Ron Hextall filled weaknesses in roster construction through free agency
Analysis of Financial Impact
By signing Manson, Motte, and Rutta rather than any big ticket free agents, the Penguins maintained financial flexibility. Here is a look at the cap hits of their signings:
| Player | Annual Cap Hit |
|---|---|
| Josh Manson | $4.5 million |
| Tyler Motte | $1.25 million |
| Jan Rutta | $2.75 million |
Combined the three players carry just an $8.5 million cap hit next season. This leaves the Penguins with nearly $9 million in projected cap space still available for 2022-23 according to CapFriendly. GM Ron Hextall made financially prudent signings to upgrade his roster while maintaining long term flexibility.
Salary Cap Implications
- Total cap hit from free agents just $8.5 million
- Penguins have $9 million in projected space for 2022-23
- Flexibility remains to make future moves if needed
- No risky long term commitments made
Analysis of Team Needs
Heading into free agency, the Penguins had clear needs on defense and for forward depth. Here is an analysis of how their signings will impact each area of the roster:
Defense
By signing Manson and Rutta, the Penguins have greatly improved their blue line depth. Manson slides into a top 4 role, while Rutta provides veteran stability on the third pair. With seven capable NHL defensemen now, the Penguins have solidified this area of weakness.
Forward
While not a huge addition, Tyler Motte upgrades the Penguins bottom-six forward group. His speed and physicality better complements Teddy Blueger and Brock McGinn on the fourth line. Pittsburgh’s forward depth is now improved with Motte’s versatility and PK skills.
Goaltending
The Penguins did not address goaltending in free agency. They appear set to run it back with Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith. After a rough playoff, Jarry still provides starter upside if he can rebound. Goaltending remains an area of concern entering 2022-2023.
Overall, the Penguins accomplished their main free agency goals of augmenting their defense and forward depth. Manson and Rutta shore up the blue line, while Motte improves the bottom-six. Goaltending uncertainty remains, but Hextall addressed roster holes.
Conclusion
The Penguins took a measured approach to free agency and came away with several useful additions. Josh Manson and Jan Rutta provide stability and physicality to their defense corps. Tyler Motte brings speed and checking ability to the bottom-six forward group. While not splashy signings, GM Ron Hextall filled specific roster needs. Pittsburgh retained salary cap flexibility as well to make future moves if required. Overall, the Penguins improved their roster depth through free agency and are better positioned for 2022-2023 after these acquisitions.
