The Penguins have made some exciting additions to their roster. They signed forwards Anthony Mantha and Rafael Harvey-Pinard to one-year contracts, and defenseman Phil Kemp to a two-year deal. General Manager Kyle Dubas announced these moves.
Mantha, at 30 years old, brings a wealth of experience. He’s played for teams like Calgary, Washington, and Detroit over his 10-year career. Standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 234 pounds, he has tallied 146 goals and 157 assists in 507 NHL games. His standout season was in 2018-19 when he scored 25 goals and recorded 48 points with Detroit. Mantha has also played 14 playoff games, contributing six assists.
What’s fascinating about Mantha is his strong drafting history. He was selected 20th overall by Detroit in 2013. Among his draft class, only 11 players have scored more goals. That gives him a solid standing with a points-per-game average of 0.60.
From Longueuil, Quebec, Mantha also represented Canada on the international stage, winning medals at both the World Championship and the World Under-18 Championship.
Next up is Harvey-Pinard, 26, who spent last season with the Montreal Canadiens. At 5 feet 9 inches and 181 pounds, he played one game with the big club and 40 games with their AHL team, the Laval Rocket. He scored five goals and 14 assists, showcasing his talent. His best year came in 2022-23, with 14 goals in just 34 NHL games.
Harvey-Pinard was drafted by Montreal in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft after a successful junior career, during which he won the QMJHL Championship and the Memorial Cup in 2019.
Kemp, 25, adds depth to the defense. He played for the Bakersfield Condors last season, registering seven goals and five assists in 56 games. At 6 feet 3 inches and 212 pounds, he has a significant presence on the ice. Overall, he has played 258 AHL games, with 18 goals and a plus-38 rating. He also played one NHL game with the Edmonton Oilers in 2024.
Before joining the professional ranks, Kemp played three seasons at Yale University, scoring 27 points in 88 games. He also led teams in the U.S. National Team Development Program, winning medals in international competitions.
These signings come at a critical time for the Penguins, as teams are trying to build competitive rosters for the upcoming season. The NHL landscape continues to evolve, and having skilled players like Mantha, Harvey-Pinard, and Kemp could make a significant difference in the Penguins’ performance.
As teams gear up for the new season, keep an eye on how these players integrate into the lineup and impact the overall dynamics of the team.
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