Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Defenseman From Washington Capitals on Day 2 of Free Agency

The Penguins haven't made any major signings in free agency this summer, and with most of the biggest names already off the board, it seems like that trend will continue.

In fact, Dubas' biggest move yesterday was not a signing at all, but rather a trade he made that sent Alex Nedelkjovic to the San Jose Sharks.

Other than that, the GM has been making minor trades around the fringes of his lineup, adding depth in areas where the team needed it.

Today though, he did make one move that could potentially be more significant.

He signed former Washington Capitals defenseman Alexander Alexeyev to a one-year contract worth league minimum.

Alexeyev was a restricted free agent for the Capitals this summer, but since he did not receive a qualifying offer he ended up making it to the market anyways.

In 80 career NHL games with the Capitals, Alexeyev has 1 goal and 8 points alongside a -8 rating and 12 penalty minutes.

Last season, he appeared in just 8 games and was a +2 while averaging just over 16 minutes of ice time per night.

He was a former 1st round pick of the Capitals, being selected 31st overall in 2018, and he still has potential to turn into a legitimate NHL defenseman, albeit without much offensive upside.

That being said, the Penguins have struggled as a team defensively in recent years, so perhaps Alexeyev can earn a regular role at the NHL level with the team and help them get their goals against down.