The Penguins on Wednesday signed right-handed defenseman Phil Kemp to a two-year contract that carries an average annual value of the league-minimum $775,000.
Kemp, 26, has spent his entire five-year professional career in the Oilers' system, seeing just one NHL game in the 2023-24 season in that time. Otherwise, he's spent his pro career with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, where he's accumulated 18 goals and 40 assists in 258 career games. He recorded seven goals, five assists and a plus-5 rating in 56 games last season.
The Penguins let a number of their older defensemen from the minors walk in free agency this summer. Kemp is a needed, slightly-older player for the AHL level to play with the number of defense prospects who will be playing their first pro season in the Penguins' system this year.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
12:10 pm - 07.02.2025DowntownDefenseman Kemp signs for two years
The Penguins on Wednesday signed right-handed defenseman Phil Kemp to a two-year contract that carries an average annual value of the league-minimum $775,000.
Kemp, 26, has spent his entire five-year professional career in the Oilers' system, seeing just one NHL game in the 2023-24 season in that time. Otherwise, he's spent his pro career with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, where he's accumulated 18 goals and 40 assists in 258 career games. He recorded seven goals, five assists and a plus-5 rating in 56 games last season.
The Penguins let a number of their older defensemen from the minors walk in free agency this summer. Kemp is a needed, slightly-older player for the AHL level to play with the number of defense prospects who will be playing their first pro season in the Penguins' system this year.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!