3 Things to Know About Penguins Blake Lizotte

The Pittsburgh Penguins shuffled the deck in their bottom six, acquiring free agent Blake Lizotte, who has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Kings.

The 26-year-old from Lindstrom, MN native, signed a two-year deal worth $1.85 million annually.

Lizotte is about to make his Eastern Conference debut in 2024-25, so what has he accomplished so far in his hockey career?

Lizotte Won Back-to-Back NCAA Regular Season Championships

Lizotte played high school at Chisago Lakes High, scoring 67 points in 50 games. He advanced to the NAHL and USHL, where he skated with the Fargo Force in 2016 and 2017, serving as captain in his final season.

When he joined St. Cloud State University, Lizotte was an alternate captain and then promoted to captain in 2019. He scored 69 points in 76 games and was twice an NCAA (NCHC) regular-season champion.

Lizotte was also a member of the NCHC All-Rookie Team, the All-Tournament, and First All-Star teams. Additionally, he was an NCAA (West) Second All-American.

Undrafted Center Has Played One Game in the AHL

Lizotte was undrafted, agreeing to a three-year entry deal with the Kings on Apr. 2, 2019. Four days later, he made his NHL debut.

In the following season, 2019-20, he was an NHL regular who appeared in 65 games and scored 23 points. Interestingly, Lizotte played one game that year for the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate.

Six seasons after his debut, Lizotte has skated in 320 NHL games, netting 106 points, with just one appearance in the minors. It is an impressive accomplishment for someone who was not drafted.

He Will Be One of the Smallest Players in the Penguins Lineup

Lizotte finished 15th on the Kings last season with 64 hits; the year before, he was seventh with 96.

Despite being listed at 5-foot-9, the bottom-six center is unafraid to dish out the hits with 308 in six seasons. Even though it doesn’t seem like a lot, he’s averaged 51 hits a year since becoming an NHL regular.

Perspectively, Lizotte would have finished 11th on the Penguins last season, and given the chance to play a lot in 2024-25, he could make an impact in this category.

Ultimately, Lizotte is tied for the shortest player in the lineup with Valtteri Puustinen and Mac Hollowell.