The two-way contract runs through the 2021-22 season and carries an average annual value of $750,000 at the NHL level.
Simon, 26, returns to Pittsburgh for his second tour of duty after spending one season in the Calgary Flames organization where he appeared in 11 games. Prior to his time with the Flames, Simon played in parts of five seasons with Pittsburgh from 2015-20, appearing in 173 games and recording 64 points (19G-45A). He's also dressed in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games, notching four assists.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward's best season came in 2018-19 while with Pittsburgh, where he picked up a career-high eight goals, 20 assists and 28 points in 71 games. His 20 assists were tied for sixth on the team while his 28 points were tied for eighth-best on Pittsburgh, while seeing time on all four of the Penguins' forward lines.
Simon has played in parts of four seasons in the American Hockey League, split between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Stockton Heat, registering 111 points (44G-67A) in 160 games. His best AHL season came as a rookie in 2015-16 when he led the team with 25 goals, and tacked on 23 assists and 48 points in 68 games. His outstanding play earned him a spot in the 2016 AHL All-Star Game.
The Prague, Czech Republic native enjoyed a breakout campaign as a prospect in his hometown while playing in the 2014-15 season with HC Plzen, a Czech Extraliga team owned by former Penguins player Martin Straka. He finished tied for third on the team with 30 points (18G-12A) in 52 games. Simon, the youngest player on the Czech team at the 2015 World Championships, was paired on a line with the team's most senior member, former Penguin Jaromir Jagr. Simon finished that tournament with six points (1G-5A) in 10 games.
Simon was drafted by the Penguins in the fifth round (137th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft.
