Penguins, defenseman Mark Friedman agree to terms for contract extension

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins and defenseman Mark Friedman have agreed to terms for a two-year contract extension, general manager Ron Hextall announced Sunday.

Friedman’s contract will begin in the 2022-23 season and run through the 2023-24 campaign. The contract carries an average annual value of $775,000.

“Friedman is an impactful defenseman who has strong offensive instincts and plays with an edge,” said Hextall. “He’s added depth to our defense corps and we are excited to see his continued development over the next two years.”

26-year-old Friedman has played in 20 games with the Penguins this season. He set career highs in games played, assists, points, and game-winning goals.

The defenseman has drawn 12 penalties, with 2.62 penalties drawn-per-60 average ranking seventh in the NHL, according to the Penguins.

Friedman was originally drafted by the Flyers on the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, when Ron Hextall was the general manager in Philadelphia. He was claimed by Pittsburgh off waivers from the Flyers on Feb. 24, 2021.

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