Pittsburgh Penguins Sign 2 Players

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed prospect Emil Pieniniemi to a three-year, entry-level contract. They also have re-signed Jonathan Gruden to a one-year, two-way contract.

Pieniniemi was selected by the Penguins with the 91st overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-2 defenseman primarily spent this past season with Karpat U20, where he had one goal and 12 assists in 31 games played. He also played one game with Karpat's professional team but did not get on the scoresheet. The 18-year-old will need a few years at least to make the jump to the NHL, but he has the tools to one day become a bottom-pairing defenseman.

Gruden, on the other hand, played in his first three NHL games last season for the Penguins, where he had zero points and four hits. Down in the AHL, he set new career highs with 16 goals and 31 points in 54 games played. He will be looking to build off of this in 2023-24, as it could be what helps him see some time in the NHL.

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