Just a few hours after signing Parker Wotherspoon to a cheap deal, the Kyle Dubas and the Penguins brought in forward Justin Brazeau on a two-year, $1.5M (AAV) deal.
Justin Brazeau, signed 2x$1.5M by PIT, is an energy winger who hits and forechecks despite being really slow. Has a bit of puck skill. #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/EbO1ZZxuJr
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2025
Brazeau, 27, played his first full NHL season last year between the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild. He had 11 goals and 11 assists, most of which were with the Bruins, in 76 games last season.
He's a hard hitter, and he tossed his body around a good bit as well, logging 123 hits with a massive 6'6", 227lb frame.
This smells of sign and flip from the Penguins, but there's a good bit of skill to be realized with Brazeau. Despite his size, he can stick handle decently, and he has a passable scoring touch.
Brazeau's deal is dirt cheap, and it seems as though he fills the niche of older forwards like Noel Acciari, who is likely on the chopping block. Other restricted free agent forwards were signed on opening day of free agency, and the Penguins certainly don't want to logjam their forward core.
Kyle Dubas has stuck to his guns in acquiring cheap assets. This is called a retool. It's not full rebuild mode - yet. With Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust being floated around in trade rumors, the surplus of forwards could be indicative of another bigger move on the rise.
Brazeau is a nice roleplayer acquisition - not going to turn the needle, but within his game could be beenficial to the team dynamic. And if not, then the Penguins can always trade him if they find themselves out of contention.