The Pittsburgh Penguins handed out another professional tryout contract to another familiar face, giving Tom Sestito a shot as of Wednesday.
Pittsburgh gave the same thing to defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who obviously has a more storied history with the franchise than Sestito.
In each case, it won’t be easy for either player to make the team, especially if each veteran isn’t open-minded to playing in the AHL. That would likely be less of an issue with Sestito, 27, as he played 10 games with the Utica Comets in the AHL and three with the Vancouver Canucks in 2014-15.
Last season marked his third campaign with Vancouver. Sestito has also seen reps with the Columbus Blue Jackets (who drafted him 85th overall in 2006) and Philadelphia Flyers.
In 137 career NHL games, he has 18 points and 432 penalty minutes, so that should give you a good idea about his role.
Pens will bring in Tom Sestito on a tryout contract. Given desire to have four lines that can score, he doesn't seem to fit. Hence, tryout.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) August 26, 2015