The contract begins in the 2022-23 season and runs through the 2023-24 campaign. The one-way 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."
Friedman, 26, has played in 20 games with Pittsburgh this season, setting career highs in games played, assists (4), points (5) and game-winning goals (1). He recorded his lone goal on Mar. 11 versus Vegas, which stood as his first career game-winning goal. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defenseman has drawn 12 penalties, with his 2.62 penalties drawn-per-60 average ranking seventh in the NHL (min. 10 GP).
Friedman also suited up for two games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League this season on a conditioning assignment.
The Toronto, ON native has 36 games of NHL experience, split between Pittsburgh and the Philadelphia Flyers, recording three goals, six assists and nine points. In addition, the defenseman has suited up for 188 career AHL games with the WBS Penguins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, tallying 61 points (10G-51A) since 2016.
Prior to his professional debut, Friedman played three seasons at Bowling Green State University from 2014-17. In 121 career collegiate games, he tallied 16 goals, 52 assists and 68 points. While at Bowling Green, Friedman was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2015, WCHA First All-Star Team in 2016 and the WCHA Third All-Star Team in 2017.
Friedman was originally drafted by the Flyers in the third round (86th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft by Hextall when he was the general manager of Philadelphia. The defenseman was claimed by Pittsburgh off waivers from the Flyers on Feb. 24, 2021.
