PITTSBURGH — The Penguins on Tuesday signed Sebastian Aho — no, not that Sebastian Aho, but the veteran NHL defenseman with the same name — to a two-year deal.

The contract carries an average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level.

Aho, 28, is a lefty who has played 190 career games over five NHL seasons, all with the New York Islanders. He hails from Sweden, whereas the Sebastian Aho who is an All-Star center for the Carolina Hurricanes is from Finland.

This Aho was an Islanders fifth-round pick in 2017. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, he has 11 goals and 50 points with a minus-10 rating as an NHLer.

He did not suit up for the Islanders during their first-round playoff loss in April.

Aho, while left-handed, skated on the right side a good amount last season.

The signing of Aho further bolsters Pittsburgh's depth on the blue line and likely ensures Pierre-Olivier Joseph will not re-sign with the team in free agency.

In addition to Aho, the Penguins during the first two days of free agency signed veteran lefty Matt Grzelcyk and brought back another, Ryan Shea. Earlier in the offseason, Pittsburgh inked Filip Kral, who also swings a left-handed stick.

Other than the Aho signing, Tuesday has been quiet for the Penguins after they made one trade and a handful of signings on Monday. They are still on the hunt for an inexpensive veteran winger who can play up in the lineup. Available options include Vladimir Tarasenko, James van Riemsdyk and Daniel Sprong.

Pittsburgh now has $3.5 million in projected salary cap space, per Capfriendly.

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