After opting not to issue them a qualifying offer yesterday, the Penguins have brought back forwards Connor Dewar and Philip Tomasino on one-year deals, the club announced. Dewar lands a $1.1MM commitment, while Tomasino will earn $1.75MM.
With very few guaranteed roster spots, it made sense for the Penguins to re-sign Dewar and Tomasino. Both players were acquired at different points last season and are young enough to be considered consistent options in Pittsburgh.
Already 26 years old, Dewar is a bottom-six forward through and through. He has played for three different organizations over three seasons, accumulating 21 goals and 47 points in 203 games, along with a -16 rating while with the Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Penguins. He’s spent some time down the middle, but he’s better used on the wing.
Similarly, Pittsburgh acquired Tomasino last season, hoping to get some value from the former 24th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. He played fairly well for the Penguins after coming over from the Nashville Predators, scoring 11 goals and 23 points in 50 games, averaging 13:27 of ice time.
Tomasino’s offensive talents are well known at this point, but without his defensive capabilities improving, it’s challenging for the Penguins to give him increased opportunity. At any rate, given they haven’t qualified for the postseason in two years, and not being expected to in 2025-26, Pittsburgh quite literally has nothing to lose but giving Tomasino a shot at top-six minutes and see if he can live up to his draft billing and the talents that made him such a prized prospect to begin with.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was first to report Dewar was returning to Pittsburgh.
PHR’s Brennan McClain contributed significantly to this article.
The NHL’s version of collusion.
Good signings. If they are for real we can keep them or trade them. If not, let them walk.