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Penguins Add Robertson, Sign Kuzmenko, Extend Korczak

7/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pittsburgh acquired forward Nick Robertson from Toronto for a 2028 fourth-round pick.
Pittsburgh signed forward Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million deal.
Defensemen Trevor van Riemsdyk and Declan Carlile each signed two-year contracts at $4 million and $1.5 million per year.
Pittsburgh traded Parker Wotherspoon to Vegas, retained 50% of his $1 million salary, and obtained Kaedan Korczak on a four-year, $3.25 million per-year extension.

History

Historical Context

The 2004-05 lockout, which began on September 16 2004 and forced the NHL to cancel the season on February 16 2005, introduced a $39 million salary cap under Commissioner Gary Bettman. That cap shaped later contracts, such as the Rangers’ 2015 seven-year, $56 million extension for defenseman Ryan McDonagh. Today the Pittsburgh Penguins’ signing of Nick Robertson and a $5 million deal for Alex Kuzmenko reflects the same cap-focused roster strategy.

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Story summary

Pittsburgh acquired forward Nick Robertson from Toronto for a 2028 fourth-round pick.
Pittsburgh signed forward Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million deal.
Defensemen Trevor van Riemsdyk and Declan Carlile each signed two-year contracts at $4 million and $1.5 million per year.
Pittsburgh traded Parker Wotherspoon to Vegas, retained 50% of his $1 million salary, and obtained Kaedan Korczak on a four-year, $3.25 million per-year extension.

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