Penguins Re-Sign Eric Tangradi, Brian Strait, Robert Bortuzzo and Alex Grant

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Eric Tangradi and defensemen Brian Strait, Robert Bortuzzo and Alex Grant to one-year contracts, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

All four players received two-way deals. Tangradi’s contract is worth $726,000 at the NHL level; Strait will earn $605,000 at the NHL level; Bortuzzo’s and Grant’s deals are both worth $525,000 at the NHL level.

Tangradi, 23, split the 2011-12 season between the Penguins and their top minor-league affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. The 6-foor-4, 221-pound forward appeared in a career-high 24 regular-season games with Pittsburgh, tallying two assists and 16 penalty minutes while totaling 42 hits. Tangradi also played in two NHL playoff games – earning his first career postseason point with an assist in Game 4 at Philadelphia.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Tangradi played 37 regular-season games in the AHL, notching 15 goals, 16 assists, 31 points and five power-play goals. During the postseason he averaged nearly a point per game with nine points (4G-5A) in 10 contests.

Tangradi, whom the Penguins acquired in a trade from Anaheim in February of 2009, has played in 40 NHL games for Pittsburgh over the previous three seasons, tallying one goal, five points and 26 penalty minutes. He has added one assist in three playoff games.

Strait played in nine regular-season games with Pittsburgh last season, notching one assist. He also appeared in three postseason contests. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound blueliner appeared in 41 regular-season games for WBS, establishing career bests in goals (4), assists (T-12) and points (16) while posting a plus-7 rating. He added one assist in two playoff games.

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Strait has played 12 career NHL regular-season games, tallying one assist. He has played in 194 career AHL regular-season games for WBS, notching 40 points (8G-32A) and a plus-51 rating. Strait has six points (1G-5A) 18 AHL postseason games.

Bortuzzo, 23, saw his first career NHL action in 2011-12, logging 10:38 minutes and posting an even rating in his NHL debut at Los Angeles on Nov. 5. Bortuzzo appeared in six NHL games, posting a plus-1 rating while averaging 10:54 minutes.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound defenseman played the majority of the year with WBS, amassing 12 points (3G-9A) and a plus-9 rating in 51 regular-season games. He added one assist in 12 AHL playoff games.

Grant, 23, enjoyed the most productive season of his pro career in 2011-12, leading all WBS defensemen in goals (10), assists (27), points (37), power-play goals (7) and shots (126) – all personal bests – while appearing in 61 regular-season games. Grant went on to lead WBS blueliners with seven points (2G-5A) in 12 playoff games.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Grant split the first three years of his professional career between WBS and the Penguins’ ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers. Grant has played in 79 regular-season games at the AHL level, tallying 42 points (13G-29A) and a plus-13 rating. Grant has added seven points (2G-5A) in 14 AHL playoff contests.

[flamesblackace]

A little something to stock the shelves with... Nice sighnings Pens.

[FightingIsGood]

I hope Bortuzzo and Tangradi make the team along with either Zach Sill or Keven Veilleux, to give the Pens a little extra sandpaper, because right now they are as soft as grape jelly.

[flamesblackace]

This signing is all about the sandpaper, I think... Would like to see Pitt get Grit!

[Kid Roberts]

Tangradi sucks. I hope Sill or KEVEN VEILLEUX make the team.

[thepolishkid88]

Strait and Bortuzzo have to clear waivers I believe now, although that may come down to the next CBA too. So I figure we will proably lose one of them.

Grant has had a bad run of luck trying to stay healthy/find his mojo and Tangradi is still a guy who did very well in the post season. In fact he was one of about three guys I can remember that actually showed up.

As much as I'd like to see Sill and Veilleiux its going to be more one or the other.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

As much as I'd like to see Sill and Veilleiux its going to be more one or the other.

Keven Veilleux is a better hockey player and a better fighter than Zack Sill. And he's much bigger too, not mentionning that he's younger. If it's one or the other, it must be Veilleux, but he'll need some time in the AHL to get back after being injured for a year.

[Kid Roberts]

Veilleux could hack it in the NHL. He can fight pretty good and he has some solid skill.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by Kid Roberts

Veilleux could hack it in the NHL. He can fight pretty good and he has some solid skill.

Which means more or less that Craig Adams beats him out for a roster spot