Pittsburgh Penguins sign defenseman to 3-year deal, announce 6-7 month injury absence

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Peyton Kettles to a three-year, entry-level contract, which was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas.

Kettles, Pittsburgh's second-round selection (39th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, appeared in five games in 2025-26.

Those games were split between the Swift Current Broncos and the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he recorded one goal, two assists and was plus-2.

Kettles also attended Pittsburgh's 2025 training camp and development camp this past summer.

The 6-foot-6, 196-pound defenseman has appeared in a total of 121 games in the WHL with Swift Current and Kelowna, where he has scored eight goals and 22 assists, for 30 points, as well as a plus-21. He's also dressed for 13 playoff games, picking up four assists.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Kettles underwent successful right shoulder surgery this past Friday at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, where he is expected to miss a total of six to seven months. The surgery was performed by the team's head team physician, Dr Dharmesh Vyas.

The Pens like what they've seen from Kettles enough to secure his signing rights until he becomes UFA-eligible at the age of 27 or after seven accrued seasons, whichever comes first.

Kettles will receive the signing bonuses he's awarded in his ELC, if any, but since he's not expected to play in the NHL this year, the other aspects of the contract will have to slide to the 2026-27 season.