The Pittsburgh Penguins have finished signing their restricted free agents as today they announced a new one-year contract for Jean-Sebastien Dea. The contract is two-way and will earn Dea $650K at the NHL level. Dea will remain an RFA at the conclusion of the deal.
Undrafted out of the QMJHL, the Penguins jumped on Dea after he exploded for 85 points in 68 games for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 2012-13. Playing alongside people like Sven Andrighetto and at times Nikita Kucherov, Dea showed that he could keep up with NHL talent and provide some real offense.
That ability hasn’t abandoned him in professional hockey, as the 23-year old has continued his development for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins the last few years. Registering 18 goals and 34 points last season, he was rewarded with his NHL debut late in the year and the opportunity to skate as a “Black Ace” in the playoffs. A natural center, Dea could be in contention for a fourth-line role at some point if the Penguins’ depth is tested during the year.