Oleksiak, 25, parlayed his acquisition from the Dallas Stars on December 19, 2017 into a career year. In his 47 regular-season games with the Penguins following the trade, Oleksiak scored four goals, 10 assists 14 points and was plus-13. Combined with his time in Dallas, Oleksiak set highs in all offensive categories across the board, finishing with 17 points (5G-12A) in 68 games.
The 6-foot-7, 255-pound Oleksiak provided a physical edge to the Penguins' blue line. Despite playing just a little over half a season with Pittsburgh, Oleksiak ranked fourth on the club with 138 hits. That total ranked him 10th (tied) in the entire NHL during that span.
Oleksiak enjoyed his first Stanley Cup playoff experience this past spring, scoring once against the Washington Capitals in the Second Round. As the playoffs progressed, Oleksiak's continued improvement earned him more ice time, particularly in the later stages of the Washington series.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Oleksiak has totaled 36 points (11G-25A) in 187 career regular-season games with the Penguins and Stars. Pittsburgh acquired Oleksiak in exchange for a 2019 conditional fourth-round draft pick.
Dallas originally chose Oleksiak in the first round (14th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.
