Mark Friedman has, at long last, found a sense of stability and can see a solid road in front of him. And now the Penguins' defenseman is getting rewarded.
Friedman signed a two-year deal with the Penguins Sunday.
"We had a pretty short discussion," Friedman said moments after gleefully trotting into the media room at the team's UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex practice facility Monday. "I knew this was where I wanted to be. So it didn't take too long to finalize."
Friedman's extension is worth $775,000 per season and is a one-way contract, meaning he is more permanently tied to the team's NHL roster.
"I'm super excited that it's a two-year, one-way (deal)," he said. "Looking down the road, it's definitely nice to see. It brought a smile to my face and I got pretty emotional yesterday because of the journey I've been on. It's not easy and you've just got to grind. I'm very thankful for it."
Friedman's path is interesting. He's 26 years old and has only played in 36 NHL games in his career.
He spent three years in Philadelphia, where he was a draft pick of current Penguins general manager Ron Hextall. But Friedman played just eleven games as a Flyer, and had just one point.
"Only playing 36 games in this league, especially at (age) 26, isn't easy," he said. "I just want to continue growing as a player, and person, and I feel like I've done that this year."
The Toronto native has played in 20 games this season. He has scored one goals and assisted four more. His plus/minus is even, as is the case for his career.
"I think 'Frieds' has played well for us," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's been one of the seven or eight defenseman that we've have here that we've used through the course of the year. When we've asked him to play for us, he's played extremely well.
"He has the ability to play the right side or the left side. Which I think, in his role, is really beneficial. Some of the play that he's had of late, he's earned his way into the top six (defenseman).
Friedman will work into what is, prior to the NHL trade deadline, a fairly deep group of defensemen in Pittsburgh that will be adding Nathan Beaulieu in a trade from Winnipeg.
But, with Sullivan's backing, Friedman appears to be benefiting from the continued progression he's seen in his game.
"The systems here in (Pittsburgh) are good with my style and it fits with me," said Friedman, who is focused on controlling his eagerness in creating offense and wants to continue to 'get under guys' skin.
"A lot of it is about jumping up in the play. I bring an edginess, a grittiness to a team that needs it sometimes. I like my role and I felt really comfortable. I'm excited about the next two years."
