Sunday thoughts: The free agent who will do more than you might think

Random thoughts on overlooked items

In the rash of signings last week, one player is standing out as a low-key potential contributor to the Penguins that most might not realize at the moment. Whenever Sebastian Aho’s name is mentioned, the obligatory “harf harf harf - not that Sebastian Aho” is the follow on. It might not be for much longer.

Of course, it’s not like the other Sebastian Aho is going to be a 35+ goal, 90-point first line player like the center in Carolina. However, the defender Aho might play a bigger part for the Penguins than is realized.

Aho, 28, has been in the NHL with the Islanders for the last full three seasons. He’s been given a two-year contract that is set to pay him $775,000 no matter what level he plays at. The Penguins have been aggressive with their salary for fringe players and unafraid to put big salaries in the AHL, but the commitment level indicates that Pittsburgh values this player.

They should too. Aho can play the left or right side. Many have gone “set it and forget it” that Jack St. Ivany will be Pittsburgh’s third pair right side defender for next season, but St. Ivany is going to have to earn it in training camp. Aho as depth and to push the youngster can only help.

And if St. Ivany does take that last lineup spot, Aho fits perfectly as an experienced NHLer who has played a depth role as the No. 7 player on the depth chart waiting for an injury to step in.

Signing a 6/7 type defender isn’t going to move the needle for the team on whether or not the Penguins accomplish their goals and have a successful season, but don’t be surprised when one of the more quiet acquisitions of the summer ends up playing a bigger role next season than might be expected upon first blush.

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It’s never too early to look ahead to next season projections, is it? OK, it might be, but hey it’s summer so let’s do it anyways.

This would have the Penguins as the ninth worst team in the league next season. Ideally you might still be hoping some areas of the team break in a positive way, but based on talent in and talent out, it’s difficult to be incredibly bullish right now.

Just look at what two other teams that didn’t win a playoff game in the division have done so far this offseason.

New Jersey
Added: Jacob Markstrom, Brett Pesce, Stefan Noesen, Tomas Tatar, Brenden Dillon, Johnathan Kovacevic
Lost: John Marino, Kaapo Kahkonen, Tomas Nosek, Brendan Smith, Chris Tierney, Alexander Holtz

Washington
Added: Andrew Mangiapane, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Matt Roy, Jacob Chychrun, Logan Thompson, Brandon Duhaime
Lost: Darcy Kuemper, Max Pacioretty, Nick Jensen, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Beck Malenstyn, presumably TJ Oshie

That’s a lot of commitment to improving positions of weakness and bringing in serious added fire power to make a team better. Sure beats Matt Grzelcyk, the husk of Kevin Hayes and hoping a new assistant coach magically revives an old, stale power play.