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Penguins re-sign d-man Erixon

Toronto Maple Leafs v Columbus Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 8: Matt Calvert #11 of the Columbus Blue Jackets flips the puck past Tim Erixon #33 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period on April 8, 2015 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they’ve re-signed defenseman Tim Erixon to a one-year, two-way contract worth $575,000 at the NHL level.

Erixon, 25, only played games in the AHL last season, scoring three goals with 17 assists in 65 contests for Wilkes-Barre. He then had a productive postseason, with two goals and four assists in 10 playoff games.

From the press release:

Erixon also spent several stints on Pittsburgh’s roster during the regular season, but did not appear in any games. During the 2016 Stanley Cup championship run, Erixon was a ‘Black Ace’.

A former first-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames, Erixon came to the Pittsburgh organization from the Maple Leafs as part of last summer’s Phil Kessel trade. He’s also been a Ranger, a Blackhawk and a Blue Jacket.

Will Erixon get a shot to play in the NHL next season?

Well, the Penguins have a couple of free agents on the blue line. Justin Schultz is a restricted free agent who’s unlikely to be qualified, while Ben Lovejoy is an unrestricted free agent. It may be that neither are back.

But Schultz and Lovejoy both shoot right, unlike Erixon, who’s a lefty.

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has suggested that lefties Ian Cole and Derrick Pouliot could be given a chance to play the right side next season. So where Erixon fits remains to be seen. He may have to wait for an injury, if he gets a chance at all.