While the Penguins were busy making a big trade to acquire Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel, six of the Penguins free agents found other NHL homes.
Defenseman Paul Martin, who was interested in returning to the Penguins, instead signed a four-year contract with the San Jose Sharks, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.
Right-winger Steve Downie has accepted a one-year deal for $1.7 million with the Arizona Coyotes per Sportsnet. That is a modest raise from the $1 million contract he played under for the Penguins last season.
Left-winger Blake Comeau, on the other hand, got a huge raise, cashing in for $2.4 million dollars per year for three years with the Colorado Avalanche. Comeau was paid $770,000 by the Penguins last season.
The New York Islanders signed backup goaltender Thomas Greiss to a two-year contract worth $1.5 million annually. The Penguins still have 2013-14 backup Jeff Zatkoff under contract for next season. Zatkoff spend last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American Hockey League.
Defenseman Taylor Chorney, who was called up from Wilkes-Barre down the stretch run last season and performed well when given an opportunity, inked a one-year, one-way deal with the Washington Capitals. Chorney had been on a two-way contract with the Penguins last season.
Forward Jason Megna was signed by the New York Rangers. No details of his contract were immediately available.
Photo credit: NHLI/Getty Images
