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.
Heinen had to wait until a few weeks into the season to sign with Boston off a PTO in 2023-24 and has earned an early contract heading in 2024-25 after signing a two-year deal worth $4.5 million ($2.25M AAV) with Vancouver. The 28-year-old was a natural fit in Boston's lineup last season, with 17 goals and 36 points in 74 games played.
Kolyachonok had a goal and four points in five total games played in 2023-24 with Arizona and signed a two-year contract extension on Monday. The 23-year-old was originally drafted by Florida in 2019 in the 2nd round (52nd overall) and has seven points in 39 total NHL games played across three seasons.
Nedeljkovic had an impressive first season in Pittsburgh, mostly backing up Tristan Jarry all season before leading the Penguins' end-of-the-year playoff push and has earned himself a two-year, $5 million ($2,500,000 AAV) contract extension. The 28-year-old finished 2023-24 with a 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% while appearing in 38 total games.
Pittsburgh completed its third signing of the day on Tuesday by announcing that they have extended defensemen Jack St. Ivany to a three-year, $2.325 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV). The 2018 fourth-round pick (112th overall) made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and had one assist, 11 SOG and two PIMs in 14 games played.
Heinen has not played since Game 5 vs. the Maple Leafs and remains day-to-day. Despite not being available for Game 3, Heinen did participate in Friday's morning skate, which suggests that he's not far from returning to the Bruins' lineup.
Heinen missed Game 6 with an undisclosed injury but was on the ice for Saturday's morning skate and could play in Game 7. So far, Heinen has one assist, five shots and nine hits in five games in the series.
Heinen missed the morning skate Thursday due to an undisclosed injury and will be out for Game 6 as he is considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old signed with Boston on a PTO this season and has an assist, five SOG and a -1 plus/minus through five games before his injury.
Dewar has picked up one assist in three games to open the series but will come out of the lineup with William Nylander expected to make his series debut. Nicholas Robertson will move down to the fourth line to replace Dewar next to David Kampf and Ryan Reaves.
With Pittsburgh's 2023-24 season officially in the books, St. Ivany has been reassigned to the AHL. The 24-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in 14 games with Pittsburgh.
With Pittsburgh's 2023-24 season officially in the books, Puustinen has been reassigned to the AHL. The 24-year-old played 52 games with Pittsburgh this season, scoring 20 points (5G / 15A).
With Ottawa's season wrapped up, Imama has been reassigned to the AHL. Imama played six games with Ottawa this season but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Belleville Senators (AHL), scoring 10 points (3G / 7A) in 53 games.
Carter played the final game of his career in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders, scoring one goal in 14:50 time-on-ice. The 39-year-old Carter was the 11th overall pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He hangs up his skates with 851 career points (442G / 409A) in 1321 games split between the Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Timmins has been a healthy scratch for the Maple Leafs' previous three games but will take the spot of Morgan Reilly for Toronto's final game of the season. The 25-year-old missed a large chunk of the season due to Mono but has been productive when called upon, with his one goal, nine points, 24 SOG, 14 PIMs and +7 plus/minus through 24 games played.
Bemstrom scored a goal in Monday's 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators, snapping a six-game pointless skid, but will draw out of the lineup for the Penguins' final game of the season. Bemstrom ends the 2023-24 campaign with 16 points (8G / 8A) in 56 games split between the Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets.
