Marc-Andre Fleury

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday signed goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to a seven-year, $35 million contract, the third long-term deal inked with one of their younger players in two days.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero called Fleury ‘‘one of the elite goaltenders of the game’’ and said he was instrumental in helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Final.

‘‘He is extremely gratified to be part of the Penguins core going forward,’’ Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, told The Associated Press. ‘‘The contract shows a lot of confidence the team is placing in him and Marc is making a statement to all that Pittsburgh is where he wants to be playing.’’

Fleury, 23, was eligible for arbitration and a hearing was scheduled for later in the month, but the Penguins made no secret they considered that a formality as general manager Ray Shero continued to negotiate a long-term deal with the goaltender.