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Penguins re-sign Matt Niskanen to two-year, $4.6 million deal

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers - Game Four

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 18: Matt Niskanen #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates a second period goal by Sidney Crosby #87 (not shown) against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The Penguins are continuing to make sure their house is in order ahead of the July 1 frenzy.

Pittsburgh announced they’ve re-signed defenseman Matt Niskanen to a two-year, $4.6 million deal, good for a cap hit of $2.3 million per season.

Niskanen finished this past season with 21 points working as a third-pair defenseman for the team. Niskanen also had three points in the playoffs for the Pens in their opening round loss to Philly. Niskanen was part of the deal with Dallas that also brought James Neal to the Penguins and it’s safe to say that’s working out well for Pittsburgh.

Now Niskanen has the opportunity to grab a top-four defensive spot with the team with Zbynek Michalek sent to Phoenix, but with the Pens also in pursuit of Ryan Suter his third pairing spot should be secure. According to CapGeek.com, the Penguins now have $12.2 million in cap space to spend like drunken sailors tomorrow.