The Penguins have reportedly made a signing just as the 12 noon window of free agency opens. Veteran defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, formerly of Washington, is said to be signing with the Pens.
TvR was featured on Pensburgh just yesterday as a free agent name to watch:
Trevor van Riemsdyk
AFP Projection: $2.36 million AAV for two years
van Riemsdyk turns 35 next month, not sure how much appetite the Penguins would
have with a two-year contract for him but he’s got some size (6’3”, 210 pounds) and 751 games of experience that would add some depth to shore up the right side of their defense with skating ability and a history of strong defensive impacts. The Penguins don’t currently have that many defenseman in a ‘5/6’ type of role that could shade more into being used as a ‘5’, van Riemsdyk could be a nice short-term patch and insurance if 20-year old Harrison Brunicke needs more AHL developmental time.
van Riemsdyk is the second right handed defenseman to join the team in as many days after the acquisition of Kaeden Korczak via a trade from Vegas.
This first move is sure to not be the last of the offseason, or possibly day for Pittsburgh. Kyle Dubas and the team stated a goal to add more depth to the blueline in hopes to improve their goals and chances against, it looks like that overhaul is well under way.
