After five seasons in Long Island, Sebastian Aho has signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract ($775,000 AAV) with Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old appeared in 58 games in 2023-24, picking up two goals, nine points and 12 PIMs.
Bemstrom will return to Pittsburgh after a successful first-half season with the Penguins and has signed a one-year extension worth $775,000. The 25-year-old was acquired in a trade from Columbus early on in 2023-24 and had eight goals, 16 points and 12 PIMs in 56 games played between Columbus and Pittsburgh.
After six seasons in Los Angeles, Blake Lizotte has joined the Pittsburgh Penguins on a two-year deal worth $3.7 million ($1.85M AAV). The 26-year-old had a down year in 2023-24, with seven goals, 15 points, 20 PIMs and a +11 plus/minus in 62 games played.
Pittsburgh added some grit on Monday by signing 27-year-old Bokondji Imama to a one-year, two-way contract. The 27-year-old appeared in six games with Ottawa in 2023-24, but failed to pick up a point while adding seven PIMs and averaging 5:25 TOI/GP.
Shea made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with the Penguins and has earned himself a one-year, contract extension worth $775,000 to stay in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old has yet to pick up an assist in his 31 NHL games played, but has a goal, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
Dallas replaced Chris Tanev quickly on Monday by signing Matt Dumba to a two-year contract worth $7.5 million ($3,750,000 AAV). The 29-year-old appeared in 76 games between Arizona and Tampa Bay in 2023-24 and had four goals, 12 points, 88 PIMs and a -18 plus/minus.
Mantha will join his third team in two seasons as he signed a one-year deal worth $3,500,000 with the Calgary Flames on Monday. The 29-year-old spent 2023-24 with both Washington and Vegas and had 23 goals, 44 points, 25 PIMs and 113 SOG in 74 games played.
Skinner allowed one goal on 21 shots in the Oilers' Game 6 win over the Panthers. After dropping the first three games of the series, Skinner has gone 3-0 while only giving up five goals on 86 shots (.942 SV%) in the last three games. He's now 14-8 with a .901 SV% in 22 playoff games.
Columbus made their first re-signing of the offseason on Friday as they signed Yegor Chinakhov to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension ($2,100,000 AAV). The 23-year-old took a massive step forward in 2023-24, with 16 goals, 29 points and 110 SOG in 53 games played.
Skinner got the Oilers back in the win column in Game 4, stopping 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) and will look to have some similar fortunes as Edmonton heads to Florida on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has had an up-and-down postseason so far, with his 12-8-0 record, 2.51 GAA and .898 SV%. He heads to Florida on Tuesday, where Edmonton will be looking to extend the series to six games and keep the Panthers from winning their first-ever Stanley Cup.
Skinner allowed two goals on 17 shots against (.882 SVA%) in the Oilers' Game 1 loss to Florida but is expected to take the crease again on Monday as Edmonton looks to even up the Stanley Cup Finals. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has endured an up-and-down playoff run, with his 11-6-0 record, .897 SV% and 2.47 GAA. He will look to even up the series in a tough battle on Monday in Florida, who is looking to extend their current four-game win streak.
Skinner bounced back nicely in Game 4 to get Edmonton back in the win column with a 20-save performance (.909 SV%) and will take the crease Friday for Game 5 as expected. The 25-year-old Alberta native will appear in his 27th career playoff game Friday and has a less-than-stellar 9-5-0 record, 2.71 GAA and .887 SV% in 14 games in this year's playoffs. He will head to Texas to take on Dallas on Friday, who will be looking to get back into the win column and pick up their third victory in the last four games.
Skinner allowed four goals on 21 shots in a second-straight loss in Game 3 but has the coaches' confidence heading into Game 4 on Wednesday as Kris Knoblauch announced he would be starting Edmonton's crucial Game 4. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has struggled to put together consistent strong performances in the playoffs this year, resulting in his 8-5-0 record, 2.76 GAA and .885 SV%. He will host the Dallas Stars on Wednesday for Game 4, who have been on a role lately having won six of their last nine playoff games.
