by J.T. Toth

Photo courtesy of The Athletic.
The Penguins got a little bit tougher this afternoon, signing C-Noel Acciari to a 3-year, 2 million dollar deal. Acciari, along with winger, Matthew Nieto. who was signed earlier today, will add a lot of grit to the Penguins bottom 6.
Acciari is a player that President of Operations, Kyle Dubas, is familiar with. While at Toronto last year, Dubas obtained him in a trade deadline deal. He had 14 goals in 77 games last season, playing in a defensive role with both St. Louis and Toronto. Acciari hits everything that moves and is good at winning puck battles in the corner. He also does a good job of puck protection and is defensively sound at center.
Acciari has had trouble staying healthy in the past, having numerous seasons cut short due to injury but if he stays healthy, he should provide the Penguins with a nice option at 4th line center.

Noel Acciari
Center
Born Dec 1 1991 -- Johnston, RI
Height 5.10 -- Weight 209 -- Shoots R
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2015-16 Boston Bruins NHL 19 0 1 1 8 -- -- -- -- --
2016-17 Boston Bruins NHL 29 2 3 5 16 4 1 0 1 2
2017-18 Boston Bruins NHL 60 10 1 11 9 12 1 1 2 2
2018-19 Boston Bruins NHL 72 6 8 14 47 19 2 2 4 0
2019-20 Florida Panthers NHL 66 20 7 27 21 4 0 0 0 0
2020-21 Florida Panthers NHL 41 4 7 11 9 6 0 0 0 0
2021-22 Florida Panthers NHL 20 3 5 8 11 9 0 0 0 0
2022-23 St. Louis Blues NHL 54 10 8 18 10 -- -- -- -- --
2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 23 4 1 5 11 11 2 0 2 2
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NHL Totals 384 59 41 100 142 65 6 3 9 6