Jim Rutherford surprised many on the first day of free agency when he brought back Matt Cullen, giving the Penguins five centers for four spots.
Well, now make it six centers for four spots.
On Thursday, the Penguins announced the signing of Derek Grant to a one-year, $650,000 contract. If you're keeping track, they now have centers Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, Cullen and Grant under contract for next season.
Obviously, that raises the possibility that one of the bottom four pivots could be dealt to address other areas. Or it's possible that one -- and possibly two -- could be moved to left wing, a position where the Penguins are relatively thin. Sheahan, Cullen and Grant are all natural centers who have played wing during their careers.
Rutherford said on July 1 that he was content with the team as currently constructed but the Penguins could be interested in free agents who "slip though the cracks" after the first wave of free agency.
Apparently, that would apply with Grant.
His 2017-18 season is an outlier as the 28-year-old scored 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 66 games with the Ducks. Prior to that, he'd never played more than 46 games in an NHL season, nor had he ever scored a goal until last season.
It remains to be seen how Grant would fit on the Penguins' roster, but he could provide quality depth, if needed. Along with his new-found scoring touch, Grant is strong in the faceoff circle (winning 53.1 percent of his faceoffs) and saw some time on both the power play and penalty kill. Three of his dozen goals last season came on the power play.
Grant was originally selected by Ottawa in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. In addition to the Senators and Ducks, he's also played for Buffalo, Calgary and Nashville.
