Former NY Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho signs with Pittsburgh Penguins

Heading into the off-season it seemed very unlikely that defenseman, Sebastian Aho, would be re-signing with the NY Islanders. Today, that was finalized as the 28-year-old native of Sweden signed a one-year $775k contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Aho was drafted by the Islanders in the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Draft, as an overage draftee, selected at 21 years old. He debuted with the Islanders during the 2017-18 season, appearing in 22 games and finishing with 4 points (1 G, 3 A).

He wouldn't see NHL ice again until the 2020-21 season, playing only three games. Over the next three seasons, he appeared in 165 games for the Islanders accumulating 44 points (9 G, 35 A).

Aho was never a mainstay in the Islanders' lineup, spending most of his tenure in blue and orange as the team's seventh defenseman.

While Aho's numbers were far from spectacular this season, he played a big role on the Islanders blueline, filling in on his off side while much of the defensive corps battled injury.

Aho's played a role with the Islanders as the team's second puck moving defenseman behind Noah Dobson. He earned time on the team's second power play unit, but once the Islanders claimed Mike Reilly off waivers, AHo saw his role diminish.

As the Penguins roster is currently constructed, their defensive unit has five left-handed shots and two right-handed. With Aho's experience and capabilities playing on his off-side, he may be in a similar role in Steel City.

When Aho shows up on the first day of training camp he'll have at least one familiar face in the locker room with him. Former first-round pick of the Islanders and the player who scored the final goal at Nassau Coliseum, Anthony Beauvillier, also signed a one-year deal with the Penguins.

Aho will make his return to UBS Arena on Nov. 5th when the Islanders host the Penguins.