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Veteran blueliner Eaton signs PTO with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate (Update: Kostopoulos too)

Mark Eaton Stanley Cup

Mark Eaton is headed back to the organization he won a Stanley Cup with in 2009.

That’s the word out of Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, as the Penguins -- Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate -- announced they’ve signed the 35-year-old defenseman to a professional tryout agreement (PTO).

A veteran of over 600 regular-season contests, Eaton spent four years with the Penguins (2006-10), playing a vital role in their ’09 Cup victory. He tied for the team lead for goals by a defenseman (four) and finished third behind Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang for d-man scoring (seven points).

Eaton also posted his finest NHL season in Pittsburgh, posting career-highs in games played (79), assists (13) and points (16) during the 2009-10 campaign.

He left Pittsburgh following the ’10 season, signing a two-year, $5 million deal with the Islanders. During his time in New York, Eaton posted one goal, six assists and 18 penalty minutes in 96 games.

Update: Wilkes-Barre also announced veteran forward Tom Kostopoulos has been signed to a PTO. Kostopoulos, 33, spent last year with the Calgary Flames, appearing in 81 games while scoring 4G-8A-12PTS.