Bennett gets new contract
Foward agrees to one-year deal
Having endured surgeries on each wrist, a knee injury, several undisclosed ailments and even a bout with mumps during his career, right winger Beau Bennett realizes better than most how important it is to stay healthy.
As a result, he has worked with a nutritionist and a new trainer this offseason.
“I’ve put in a lot of work this summer to prevent this stuff,” Bennett said by phone. “Just so I can get stronger on the ice and stronger in some tough situations.”
Bennett, a restricted free agent who agreed to a oneyear, one-way contract worth $800,000 with the Penguins Wednesday, was limited to 49 games and 12 points (four goals, eight assists) last season primarily
because of his health.
“I know my body is feeling a lot better so I’m not too worried about that,” Bennett said. “It’s going to be a really good season.”
It remains to be seen how Bennett will fit on the NHL
depth chart. With Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist and Pascal Dupuis, the Penguins have ample options on the right wing.
“I’m a natural right winger,” he said. “That’s where I’m real comfortable. But having played left [wing] all last year, you kind of get a feel for each side. I prefer right, but I’ll play wherever they put me.”
Simon signs
The Penguins signed center Dominik Simon, a fifthround pick in last month's draft, to a three-year entrylevel contract. Simon, 20, played for HC Plzen in the Czech Republic's ELH league last season. In 52 games, he scored 30 points (18 goals, 12 assists).
Simon (5 feet 11, 176 pounds) played for the Czech Republic in the IIHF World Championship tournament during the spring and skated on a line with former Penguins right winger Jaromir Jagr. In 10 games, he had six points (one goal, five assists).
“I got a chance to actually watch him at the World Championship,” said assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald. “His play and his age just kind of jumped out at you.”
He is the first of the Penguins’ 2015 draft class to sign and is expected to play in North America next season.
Out of commission
Right wingers Josh Archibald (undisclosed injury), Tyler Biggs (Achilles tendon) and Scott Wilson (wrist), and center Oskar Sundqvist (hamstring) have been held out of on-ice activities during development camp this week as a precaution.
All four players are expected to be healthy when training camp starts in mid-September.
“We know these guys had some nagging injuries,” Fitzgerald said. “Our thought process is it's the middle of July. Why push them on the ice when there’s no need to push them on the ice? We want them to be around our group for different reasons. One would be to see our doctors, see our training staff, working with them and continue their rehab to get better.”