Penguins sign former Maple Leafs defenceman Filip Kral for one year

May 21, 2024 - 5:15pm

Toronto Maple Leafs' Filip Kral passes against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period of an NHL pre-season hockey game, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Detroit. (Jose Juarez/AP)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Filip Kral is joining his former general manager in Pittsburgh.

Kyle Dubas and the Penguins announced Tuesday that they have signed the 24-year-old defenceman to a one-year deal worth $775,000 at the NHL level.

Kral spent the 2023-24 season playing in Liiga, the top professional league in Finland, with the Lahti Pelicans. He led all defenceman in assists and points in the league, recording 32 helps and 37 points on his way to winning the Matti Keinonen Trophy, which is awarded to the player with the best plus/minus.

He was originally a fifth-round pick of the Maple Leafs in the 2018 draft, and made his NHL debut with Toronto in the 2022-23 season, skating in two games.

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