Notre Dame’s Thomas DiPauli Likely Headed to Pittsburgh

CBC commentator Tim Wharnsby is reporting that outgoing Notre Dame senior forward and newly-minted NHL free agent Thomas DiPauli is likely to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, joining Providence’s John Gilmour as the second player to sign an NHL contract after becoming a free agent on August 16th.

DiPauli was a fourth round draft choice of the Washington Capitals in 2012, but turned down a contract offer from the Capitals earlier this summer to become a free agent on Tuesday.

DiPauli seems like a good fit for the Penguins, who find themselves up against the constraints of the salary cap. DiPauli provides the ability to play a hard-working lower line role while still on a relatively cheap entry-level contract. He scored 14-18-32 in 37 games for Notre Dame last season, but his primary asset is his two-way play. DiPauli is a tireless worker that could bring a high-energy spark to Pittsburgh’s lower lines.