After making 13 selections in the 2025 NHL Draft, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas jumps into the next stage of the NHL off-season…free agency.
NHL free agency started on July 1st and the race to sign players was fast and furious. Although the Penguins did not sign any big names (they weren’t expected to) they did sign some quality depth.
Here is a look at three players the Penguins signed.
RW- Anthony Mantha- 30 years old 6’5” 234 lbs
The Penguins signed ex-Calgary Flames right wing Anthony Mantha to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with up to $2 million in bonuses. This is a low risk, high-upside gamble on a player capable of reestablishing his scoring touch in a top-six role.
Mantha was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round (20th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He is the grandson of four-time Stanley Cup winner André Pronovost.
Anthony Mantha is a three-time 20-goal scorer. In 2023-2024, he split time between Washington and Vegas and scored 23 goals and 21 assists. An ACL tear in November 2024 required season-ending surgery. He finished the 2024-2025 season with four goals and three assists in 13 games for the Calgary Flames.
Strengths
Mantha has goal scoring ability and uses his length to be a factor in front of the net.
He uses his 6’5” frame to protect the puck well and is a tough opponent to beat during board battles
He has had success at both right wing and left wing which brings some lineup versatility
Weaknesses
ACL injury…brings about durability concerns
A very streaky player, who will disappear for several games at a time
Needs to improve defensively. His backcheck leaves a lot to be desired.
D- Parker Wotherspoon- 27 years old 6’1” 192 lbs
The Penguins signed ex-Boston Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon to a two-year contract worth $1 million per year.
Wotherspoon was drafted by the New York Islanders in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He is coming off a season where he played a career high in games (55) with the Bruins. He was a reliable 7th defenseman in Boston where he logged 18:02 of icetime per contest.
Wotherspoon has one goal and 15 assists in 108 NHL games.
Strengths
Smooth skater who has mobility and flexibility to be in position
Has turned himself into an above average penalty killer on the back end.
Quick, crisp breakout passes to transition defense to offense.
Weaknesses
Is not very physical and will try and poke check over putting a body on somebody
Offensive limitations. Not a player you will put on a power play.
Does not generate shots to the net at a rate you want to see an 18+ minute performance.
Wotherspoon is a left handed shooting defenseman who should be a solid 7th defenseman with the chance to play on the last pairing.
RW- Justin Brazeau- 27 years old 6’6” 227 lbs
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed ex-Minnesota Wild right wing Justin Brazeau to a two-year deal worth $1.5 million a year.
Brazeau had somewhat of a breakout season in 2024-2025, scoring 11 goals and 11 assists in 76 games between the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild.
Brazeau, undrafted, despite leading the OHL in scoring during the 2018-2019 season (61-52-113).
Strengths
Size…he is 6 '6 " frame to be a physical forechecker who wins his share of 50/50 board battles.
Thrives at scoring garbage goals…is a nuisance to goalies setting screens and causing chaos.
Will give 110% with a non-stop game motor
Weaknesses
He struggles to explode and his skating is not smooth (typical of most 6’6” players)
Sometimes his non-stop motor leads to him skating himself out of position on defense.
Not a winger who will beat you with a mid-long range shot. Shooting accuracy is lacking…scores mostly from deflections and tip ins.
Brazeau should fit in nicely on the bottom-six and add some secondary scoring.