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Drive to the Net: Ruhwedel deserves credit for subtle steadiness

At the beginning of next season, Chad Ruhwedel will begin his fifth -- yes, fifth -- contract with the Penguins, a two-year extension with a cap hit of just $800,000 that was signed prior to the end of last season.

By the end of his first season with the Penguins in 2016-17, Ruhwedel was largely considered an ideal seventh defenseman. He didn't possess any flashy skills or even stand out on the ice. Really, a lot of games would end and you'd forget he was in the lineup.

In many cases, that would be one of the worst things you could say about a player.