PITTSBURGH — The Penguins entered the first day of NHL free agency Wednesday with their eye on signing at least one more forward. But their first significant addition to the NHL roster was a defenseman with size, snarl and two Stanley Cup rings.
They signed Jan Rutta, a member of the recent back-to-back title teams in Tampa Bay, to a three-year deal with an average annual value of $2.75 million.
Rutta, who turns 32 on July 29, is the type of defenseman who should satisfy both the front office of Ron Hextall and Brian Burke and coach Mike Sullivan. The Czech product, who is 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, brings coveted bulk to the Pittsburgh blue line. And he skates well for his size and possesses some puck skill.
