Dig It: Graves Joining Penguins’ Defense Corps

CRANBERRY — The Pittsburgh Penguins filled their need for a left-handed, top-four defenseman by signing Ryan Graves to a six-year contract that carries a salary-cap hit of $4.5 million.

Graves, 28, had eight goals, 18 assists and was a plus-34 in 78 games with New Jersey in 2022-23.

He is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and recorded 83 hits, second-most among Devils defensemen, last season.

He moves and puck fairly well and has shown the potential to develop into an outstanding shutdown defenseman.

An opening for a left-side defenseman was created when the Penguins did not re-sign Brian Dumoulin.

Graves was a fourth-round draft choice of the New York Rangers in 2013, but never played for them. He has split his career between Colorado and New Jersey.