Almari signed a two-year contract with Lukko of the Finnish Liiga on Wednesday, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.
Almari is a pending restricted free agent in North America, but it appears he will play in Finland next season. The Penguins can retain his playing rights in the NHL if they extend him a qualifying offer.
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Penguins' Niclas Almari: Joining Baby Pens
Rotowire
Almari has been recalled to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton from his loan stint in Finland.
Almari saw action in 22 games for Lukko Rauma, including the postseason, in which he recorded two helpers and eight PIM. The blueliner won't offer much in terms of offensive upside and therefore projects as nothing more than a low-end fantasy target if he makes it to the NHL at some point.
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Penguins' Niclas Almari: Loaned to Finnish team
Rotowire
Almari was loaned to Lukko of Finland's Liiga on Wednesday.
Almari has split time between AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and ECHL Wheeling this season, amassing six points in 17 games across the two levels. The 23-year-old defenseman will return to his native Finland, but there's little chance he'll make an impact at the NHL level within the next two years.
