Penguins Sign Big Czech Free Agent D-man with Dubas Connection
Moments after announcing the organization signed emerging NHL regular defenseman Jack St. Ivany to a three-year deal, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Czechian free agent D-man Filip Kral to a one-year deal.
The contract carries a salary cap hit of $775,000 at the NHL level, though the Penguins did not immediately specify whether it had a two-way provision.
The defenseman has direct connections to Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas, as the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Kral, 24, in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Draft (149th overall). The 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman played parts of three seasons with the Toronto organization from 2020-23. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 9, 2022, and played two NHL games that season.
Over three seasons, he played in 92 AHL games with the Toronto Marlies from the end of the 2020-21 season through 2022-23. Kral scored seven goals with 22 assists in those AHL games.
Dubas became the Toronto GM following the 2017-18 season, and Kral was part of Dubas’s first Toronto draft class. Dubas took over the Penguins hockey operations on June 1, 2023.
Kral played last season with the Lahti Pelicans of the Finnish Elite League (SM-liiga). He scored five goals, 32 assists, and 37 points in 46 games, leading Pelicans defensemen in assists and points. Kral also led the league with a plus-28 rating.
Prior to being drafted, Kral played three seasons with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs (2017-2020) and parts of three seasons with the highest Czechian league (2016-2018 and the 2020-21 season). He represented Czechia at the 2018 and 2019 World Junior Championships.
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Is Dubas setting up to trade MP for offensive players? As stated in one of your articles about Jake, trade at the beginning of the year instead of waiting.
Marcus has one year left, he had a great year, value should be high. I understand the downside, just a thought.
Or Poj or Graves. Someone on the left will be gone.
Interesting thought, for all the Penguins’ woes last season, the thing that hit the hardest was inability to score goals. If they can construct a team which is shoot first (then score) play defense later, might as well go all in. MP would be a huge loss, but if the return is generous, it will be understandable. What are thoughts on this trade scenario, Jarry to OTT for Chychrun and Forsberg (assuming Ned is signed for 2 years as 1A) ??
They wouldn’t get those 2 for Jarry? Plus Chychrun would be a Sullivan Dman. Soft, and 6’2 200 lbs isn’t big! Well for Penguins that’s big. Chychrun would fit they’re style, afraid of contact and not a physical individual. Going to get really tough for a long time. Rutherford is happy he’s out of here. Watch Canucks the next couple of years.
Rutherford is a quitter. I hope his teams never win. Why does he get a pass for walking out when things get tough. beware Canucks.
lol what an awful deal and thought. Chychrun has been bad in Ottawa and would be equally as bad in Pittsburgh. He would play in front of Ned who would give up 4-5 goals a game. If you want Ned as the 1A, get ready for a lottery pick next year
I didn’t have this one. But I love it.
I would trade Pettersson and up grade to Skjei. I would also package POJ + the Carolina 2nd for Bennett and EROD to help Florida with their cap issue.
I don’t think that would be an upgrade! Give me a reason please…
Minor league depth, unless he comes into camp and plays a big game. Shea and St. Ivany proved last season that they will make room for players that can play solid defense.
I figure he replaces Shea, several years younger.
Would like them to bring back Shea too.
could be a nice addition to wbs!
Heard rumours about Martin Necas to Pens,
saw him today vs Canada! He gooo
Only in Pittsburgh is 6’2 and 198 pounds considered big
Big is a relative term. I think that the Pens need another defenseman that plays a tough game and battles. Graves is tall, but he doesn’t play tough, use his size, or battle opponents. It’s more how the player uses his size.
Only problem is this player doesn’t use his size..
I know nothing about him. Just pointing out that its not really the size of the player, it’s more how the player chooses to use it.