The Penguins have had a busy first day of free agency, and it continued with the singing of former New York Islanders center Kael Mouillierat to a one-year, two-way contract worth $575,000 at the NHL level.
Mouillierat, 27, is a 6-foot, 200-pound center, who has been an elite scorer at the AHL level for several seasons, but just got his first NHL opportunity in 2014-15 with the New York Islanders.
He had a goal and an assists in six games with the Isles. Meanwhile, he led their top farm team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, with 24 goals. He also added 26 assists for 50 points on the season.
Mouillierat’s strong 2014-15 season followed up his breakout 53-point 2013-14 campaign with the St. John’s IceCaps, who were affiliated with the Winnipeg Jets at the time.
He went undrafted out of Minnesota State Mankato and had to work his way up from the ECHL, but he’s been a productive scorer at every stop. He had a 25-goal, 63-point season with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL in 2010-11. He led the Mankato Mavericks in goal scoring in both his junior and senior season.
Expect Mouillierat, along with fellow free agent signee David Porter, to fill the roles of departed centers Andrew Ebbett and Nick Drazenovic, who aren’t likely to be brought back by the Penguins.
Ebbett and Drazenovic have been the top two centers in Wilkes-Barre for the past two seasons while providing the Penguins with scoring line depth.
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