PITTSBURGH -- The NHL free agency period doesn't begin until Wednesday, but the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins locked up one of their own on Monday.

The Pens inked forward Craig Adams to a two-year deal.

Adams, 32, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Pens acquired Adams on waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks in March.

Known more for his grit and penalty-killing abilities, he posted one assist in nine regular season games with the Pens.

Adams also tallied three goals and two assists in 24 games during the Pens' Stanley Cup playoff run.

He previously won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.

The Pens still have several members of their championship team scheduled to hit the open market on Wednesday, including forwards Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan, defensemen Rob Scuderi, Hal Gill, Philippe Boucher and goalie Mathieu Garon.

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