Penguins GM Ron Hextall makes shrewd addition to roster

Things may have looked bleak in terms of the outlook this offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins, considering the uncertainty regarding the futures of franchise stalwarts Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. However, Penguins general manager Ron Hextall managed to pull the rabbit out of his hat and put the concerns of the fan base at ease.

Not only were free agent forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell both re-signed to new deals, but the longtime duo of Letang and Malkin were also locked up with new deals. The latter was especially a welcome piece of good news, considering that it appeared as though the 3-time Cup winning Russian native was halfway out the door. 

And now, Hextall has made another addition to the roster. The Penguins have announced the signing of college free agent defenseman Jack St. Ivany to an entry level deal. The deal is worth an AAV of $950,000 and runs through 2024.

Per NHL.com: 

"St. Ivany, 23, played four years of collegiate hockey at Boston College (2020-22) and Yale University (2018-20) where he recorded 12 goals, 48 assists and 60 points in 115 career games. The defenseman had his best season in 2021-22 with Boston College, establishing career highs in games played (35), assists (20) and points (24). In his senior season he was named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team after ranking fifth among conference defensemen in assists and points.

Prior to his collegiate career, the 6-foot-3, 201-pound defenseman played two seasons in the United States Hockey League with the Sioux Falls Stampede from 2016-18. In 106 career USHL games, St. Ivany recorded seven goals, 39 assists and 46 points and represented the Stampede as an alternate captain during his second season. He was teammates with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Colin Swoyer during his two seasons in Sioux Falls."