Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — The Penguins bolstered their roster today by signing forwards Anthony Mantha and Rafael Harvey-Pinard to one-year contracts, while defenseman Phil Kemp secured a two-year deal. General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas announced the moves, aimed at enhancing the team’s competitiveness moving forward.
Mantha, 30, carries a contract that runs through the 2025-26 season, with an average annual value of $2.5 million. A seasoned veteran of 10 years, he has played for several NHL teams, including Calgary, Vegas, Washington, and Detroit. Over his career, Mantha has appeared in 507 regular-season games and tallied 146 goals and 157 assists, totaling 303 points. He has surpassed both the 20-goal and 40-point marks three times and has consistently found the back of the net in seven of his ten seasons. His standout campaign came in 2018-19, when he reached personal bests with 25 goals and 48 points while playing for the Red Wings.
In addition to his regular-season performance, Mantha brings playoff experience with 14 appearances and six assists under his belt. He was selected 20th overall by Detroit in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft and has remained one of the more productive players from that class. Hailing from Longueuil, Quebec, Mantha also contributed to Team Canada, earning a silver medal at the 2019 World Championship and a bronze at the 2012 World Under-18 Championship.
Harvey-Pinard, 26, joins the Penguins after spending the last season with the Montreal Canadiens. The 5-foot-9 forward played one NHL game and made a more substantial impact in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he participated in 40 games for the Laval Rocket. There, he recorded 19 points, showcasing his offensive potential. Over five seasons in the Canadiens organization, he has accumulated 31 points (17 goals and 14 assists) in 84 NHL games. His best performance came during the 2022-23 season, where he posted career highs with 14 goals and 20 points in just 34 games.
Before entering the professional ranks, Harvey-Pinard spent five years in junior hockey with Rouyn-Noranda and Chicoutimi in the QMJHL, winning the QMJHL Championship and the Memorial Cup in 2019. He was chosen by Montreal in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Kemp, a 25-year-old defenseman, signed a two-year contract with the Penguins through the 2026-27 season, featuring an average annual value of $775,000. Last season, he played for the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL, appearing in 56 games and recording 12 points. His production included seven goals, ranking third among team defensemen. Since turning pro, Kemp has participated in 258 AHL games, contributing 58 points while maintaining a plus-38 rating.
Kemp’s experience includes one NHL game played for the Edmonton Oilers in 2024. He previously honed his skills at Yale University, where he registered 27 points over three collegiate seasons. Additionally, Kemp captained the U.S. National Team Development Program, leading the Under-17 and Under-18 teams to success, and earned a gold medal at the 2017 World Under-18 Championship and a silver medal at the 2019 World Junior Championship.
As the Penguins reshape their roster, these signings indicate a focus on strengthening their offensive and defensive depth. The organization aims to build a competitive team in the upcoming seasons, with new additions contributing to a blend of experience and youthful potential.