The Penguins signed right-handed winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year deal worth $5 million.
Kuzmenko, 30, had 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 52 games with the Kings last season before undergoing knee surgery in March to repair a torn meniscus. In 2022-23 he had a 74-point season with Vancouver, scoring 39 goals and 35 assists in 81 games.
This was the kind of deal that the Penguins would have been comfortable giving Anthony Mantha, but Mantha was seeking more term than one year. Seems like the kind of player the Penguins are hoping can help replace Mantha's production, especially given his recent history putting up similar numbers.
Jason Spezza said that one can "draw a natural connection" between the Kuzmenko signing and last summer's Mantha signing. They're in similar situations as older players who have a history of offensive success, but need to recapture their game and were coming off knee injuries. It worked with Mantha, they're hoping it can work with Kuzmenko.
"(Kuzmenko) is somebody that has a history of scoring goals," Spezza said. "I think his down-low play and his ability to play around the net fits into the style of play that we play. I think if you look at the skill set that he has, he can help our power play out in a few different spots. I think everybody will draw the natural connection to Anthony, and we hope that Kuzmenko can come in and have success as well. He's a guy that we think will fit in well with the group that we have."
THE ASYLUM
Kuzmenko fills void left by Mantha
The Penguins signed right-handed winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year deal worth $5 million.
Kuzmenko, 30, had 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 52 games with the Kings last season before undergoing knee surgery in March to repair a torn meniscus. In 2022-23 he had a 74-point season with Vancouver, scoring 39 goals and 35 assists in 81 games.
This was the kind of deal that the Penguins would have been comfortable giving Anthony Mantha, but Mantha was seeking more term than one year. Seems like the kind of player the Penguins are hoping can help replace Mantha's production, especially given his recent history putting up similar numbers.
Jason Spezza said that one can "draw a natural connection" between the Kuzmenko signing and last summer's Mantha signing. They're in similar situations as older players who have a history of offensive success, but need to recapture their game and were coming off knee injuries. It worked with Mantha, they're hoping it can work with Kuzmenko.
"(Kuzmenko) is somebody that has a history of scoring goals," Spezza said. "I think his down-low play and his ability to play around the net fits into the style of play that we play. I think if you look at the skill set that he has, he can help our power play out in a few different spots. I think everybody will draw the natural connection to Anthony, and we hope that Kuzmenko can come in and have success as well. He's a guy that we think will fit in well with the group that we have."
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