The Pittsburgh Penguins shored up their defensive depth Wednesday, re-signing Zach Trotman and Kevin Czuczman to two-year, two-way contracts.
Both contracts will pay $700,000 annually at the NHL level.
Trotman, 28, has been a call-up option for the Penguins each of the last two seasons. Last year, he played 13 games in the NHL, recording an assist, and 24 games in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Trotman is a sturdy, 6-foot-3, 219-pound defender with a right-handed shot.
“Zach’s role with us last year was definitely not easy,” assistant GM Bill Guerin said in a release. “Sometimes a depth defenseman has to sit out for a number of games and is expected to come in and be on top of his game, and he did an excellent job with that.”
Beyond thrilled to be back with the @penguins organization for 2 more years. Can’t wait to get back to work!
— Zach Trotman (@Ztrotman4) June 26, 2019
Czuczman, 28, has been with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton each of the past two seasons, averaging four goals and 28 points per season.
“He is capable to play in all situations on the ice and is a true leader for us in Wilkes-Barre,” Guerin said. “We’re glad to have him back.”
Trotman and Czuczman (pronounced Church-man) slot in around ninth and 10th on the organization’s defensive depth chart.
— Jonathan Bombulie
