PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When forward 36-year-old Jeff Carter came to the Pens via trade in April, it was thought he would be a nice fill-in with Evgeni Malkin injured and then potentially a third-line center to finish out his career. He will likely finish his career as a Penguin, but after two more seasons.
Pens announce Wednesday they agreed to terms with Carter on a two-year contract extension running $3.125 million annually.
The 17-year NHL veteran has played 36 games this season with 12 goals and 14 assists in 18 minutes and 30 seconds of average ice time a game. The assist numbers are already the most since the 2018-19 season. In 50 career games with the Pens-21 goals and 16 assists.
“Jeff’s experience and versatility have made him a valuable addition to our team,” said Penguins general manager Ron Hextall in a statement released by the team. “In addition to his on-ice contributions, his team-first attitude has made him a leader inside our locker room and we are happy to have him under contract for two more years.”
Carter is currently centering a third line with Evan Rodrigues and Brock McGinn, but has also played some wing. He also logs some minutes on the power play and is winning 57% of his faceoffs.
The 6’3” forward was the 11th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. The London, Ontario native is 12 career points shy of 800 and already a two-time Stanley Cup winner.
Pens host the Seattle Kraken Thursday night.