PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – They didn't have much money to spend, but Pens general manager Ron Hextall said they were active on the first day of NHL free agency Wednesday.
"We were really busy," Hextall said. "You are looking at all kinds of angles. We want to be as good as we can without going over."
They were able to squeeze in a couple-keeping forward Evan Rodrigues for a million bucks. Bringing back forward Dominik Simon on a two-way contract worth $750,000 and the NHL highlight of day one and likely all of free agency for them, Brock McGinn. The forward coming over from Carolina, he plays a similar game to Brandon Tanev.
"We are really excited to have him," Hextall said. "We looked at the cap space that we had, there are certain players that you just stroke off your list because there is no chance you could fit them in. Brock was at the top of the list of players that we could fit in."
"We needed another inside player that scores goals around the net, blocks shots. All the things you need to do to win games. He was certainly high on our list and we are certainly thrilled to add him to the organization."
Hextall loves the energy that McGinn plays with saying the intangibles he brings will help on the ice and in the clubhouse. He signed for under what Tanev would have made at four years, $11 million.
Comparing the two, each played six years in the NHL, McGinn has nine more goals, five more assists and while he has many fewer hits than Tanev, McGinn has more takeaways. Their playoff numbers are nearly identical.
Simon coming back is a bit of a shocker, considering he played in only 11 games with Calgary last year with no points and struggled at time during his five years with the Pens despite opportunities to play on the top line.
"Sully knows him well," Hextall said. "We needed depth added in the organization up front. We feel like Dominik will be a real good piece for us moving forward. Whether he's up top or down below (in the line combinations), we will see what training camp dictates. We will have some kids fighting for some spots and Dom will be in the mix as well."
While bringing Rodrigues back, potentially as a fourth line center. The Pens lost defenseman Cody Ceci and forward Frederick Gaudreau. Both improved their stock greatly during their one season with the Pens. Hextall said they really wanted Ceci back, but couldn't match the numbers he received with Edmonton, 4-years, $13 million.
"I was surprised at the day today with the flat cap and the poor financial year last year," Hextall said. "Joking with a couple of other GMs we smartened up a year ago and got back to our regular selves today. I was surprised with some of the prices."
Hextall believes a deal to bring back 6'6" forward Radim Zohorna, two goals and two assists in eight games in 2021, is imminent. They will continue to bargain shop.
"We don't have a lot of cap space," Hextall said. "We went into free agency not having a lot. We would like to tweak some things and monitor the free agent market to see what's out there. See if we find any fits that are upgrades for us."
New goalie
Likely to start the season in the minors, the Pens did sign a national championship goalie Wednesday. Filip Lindberg, 22, from the University of Massachusetts signed a two-year, entry-level contract. The native of Finland is 6'1", 194-pounds and finished the season 10-1-4 with a 1.24 goals-against average and .949 save percentage. Best in all of NCAA hockey.
For his career, Lindberg was 29-9-6 with a 1.55 goals-against average and .937 save percentage with 11 shutouts in 49 games. He was originally a seventh round pick of the Wild in 2019.
"Extremely excited to add him to the organization," Hextall said. "Whenever you can get a good, young goaltender you are obviously excited. We have the two young kids and now a couple of guys who are older, in their mid-20s and obviously our big guys."
Hextall is excited for the promise Lindberg showed as potentially the biggest long-term value on free agency's opening day.
