"We were pleased with Evan's play during his brief stint with us last season," said Rutherford. "His versatility and ability to play all three forward positions, especially center, is an asset that gives us options and adds depth to our forward group."
Rodrigues, 27, returns to the Penguins after being dealt to the Maple Leafs as part of the Kasperi Kapanen
deal
. He was originally acquired by Pittsburgh from the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 24, 2020 and appeared in seven regular-season games for the Penguins, notching one goal. He was also used on Pittsburgh's penalty kill, where he averaged 1:53 shorthanded minutes per game, the third-highest average on the team among forwards since being acquired.
Prior to joining Pittsburgh, Rodrigues picked up nine points (5G-4A) in 38 games with the Sabres in 2019-20.
He enjoyed a career season with Buffalo in 2018-19, registering nine goals, 20 assists and 29 points. He also led all Sabres skaters in 2018-19 with three shorthanded points (3A).
The 5-foot-11, 184-pound Rodrigues has suited up for 199 career NHL games, where he's recorded 27 goals, 45 assists and 72 points. At the AHL level, the Toronto, Ontario native has 70 points (23G-47A) in 128 career games with the Rochester Americans.
Rodrigues originally signed with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent after an exceptional collegiate career with Boston University from 2011-15. Over the course of four seasons, Rodrigues picked up 121 points (42G-79A) in 146 games. He served as an alternate captain for the Terriers in '14-15, helping them to the NCAA Hockey East Championship. That season, only teammate Jack Eichel (71) finished with more points than Rodrigues' 61 (21G-40A) in all of D1 college hockey.
