Group VI free agent defenseman Philip Kemp has signed a two-way contract with the Penguins, according to the league’s media site (via Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). PuckPedia reports it’s a two-year commitment with an NHL salary of $775K and a $350K AHL salary in both seasons. He has a $375K guarantee in 2025-26 and a $400K guarantee in 2026-27.
Kemp, a Yale product, was a seventh-round pick by the Oilers in the 2017 draft and has been in the Edmonton organization since then, primarily with AHL Bakersfield. He’s played five seasons for the Condors, the last two as an alternate captain.
The 26-year-old righty only has one NHL game to his name, recording just three shifts for 2:03 of ice time in an overtime win over the Canadiens in January 2024. Checking in at 6’3″ and 202 lbs, he scored seven goals, five assists, and 12 points with 39 PIMs and a plus-five rating in 56 games for Bakersfield last season. He has 18 goals, 40 assists, and 58 points with a +38 rating in 258 career games with Bakersfield.
Kemp likely won’t be in consideration for a roster spot in Pittsburgh, even with their lack of NHL-quality defensemen. He doesn’t offer much future upside and isn’t the type of player they’re targeting for NHL minutes as they continue to retool/rebuild their roster. He will, however, likely have more call-up opportunities in Pittsburgh if injuries strike, given their lack of organizational depth.
Pittsburgh only has five contract slots remaining for 2025-26 after signing Kemp.