Penguins re-sign Jarry, bring in Graves

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced multiple notable signings on Saturday.

The club re-signed Tristan Jarry - arguably the top free-agent goalie - to a five-year deal with an average annual value of $5.375 million.

Pittsburgh also nabbed one of the top free-agent defensemen in Ryan Graves, signing the former New Jersey Devil to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

The Pens improved their depth up front by adding winger Noel Acciari on a three-year deal with an average annual value of $2 million and center Lars Eller on a two-year pact with an AAV of $2.45 million.

Jarry posted a .909 save percentage in 47 appearances last season. The 28-year-old saved 1.12 goals above expected, per Evolving-Hockey.

A second-round pick by the Pens in 2013, Jarry has been one of the more consistent goalies in the league over the last four seasons, making the ninth-most starts among netminders while posting a .915 save percentage.

Graves brings great size (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) and strong mobility for his frame. He tallied eight goals and 18 assists while averaging 19:57 per contest for the Devils a year ago. His underlying numbers over the last three campaigns have been strong offensively.

He gives the Penguins an option on the left side as he can play on the top pair with Kris Letang. Marcus Pettersson and Pierre-Olivier Joseph are the current in-house options on that side. Brian Dumoulin, Letang's primary partner over the past decade, remains a free agent.

Acciari recorded 14 goals and nine assists in 77 games between the St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs last season. A heart-and-soul-type player, he racked up 244 hits - 10th-most in the league - and 81 blocks. This marks the second time this year Kyle Dubas has acquired Acciari. The Pens' president of hockey operations previously did so as general manager of the Maple Leafs at the deadline.

Eller projects to serve as one of the team's bottom-six centers behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The 34-year-old recorded 10 goals and 13 assists in 84 games split between the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche last season. A Stanley Cup winner with the Caps in 2018, he's noted as a defensive specialist.

Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.