Ducks-Penguins Trade: Three-Player Deal Offers Fresh Start for All Involved
On Saturday, a Ducks-Penguins trade saw three under-performing players joining new organizations in a 2-for-1 deal.
Adam Clendening, 23, was selected 36th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2011. The right-handed defender is joining his 4th team since the start of 2014-15 (Chicago, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Anaheim).
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His offensive abilities are well-known, but it seems NHL teams are having issues in regards to his slow development in his all-around game. At this point, he’s a depth defender at best, but who knows, the change of scenery is sometimes helpful for players. Plus, he’s only 23, giving him a three to four-year window to fully develop.
David Perron, 27, is a former 26th overall pick of the St.Louis Blues back in 2007. He’s in his ninth NHL season, producing 312 points in 542 regular season games. Perron spent six seasons with St.Louis before being dealt to Edmonton back in July 2013. He was later traded to Pittsburgh in January 2015. He produced 41 points in 81 games between Edmonton and Pittsburgh in 2014-15. Perron is on pace for a single-season career low with just 16 points in 43 games so far in 2015-16.
A pending free agent, Perron has long been rumored to be dealt as a trade rental since the beginning of 2015-16. The Ducks had a necessity to add strength up the left-side with Carl Hagelin, Andrew Cogliano, Nick Ritchie, and Patrick Maroon to choose from.
This trade is a big win for Ducks GM Bob Murray in a few ways:
1) Not that Hagelin won’t earn his contract in Pittsburgh playing alongside much better linemates, but it was a bad contract Anaheim signed prior to the season. It never seemed to work out for Hagelin and the Ducks.
2) It’s a low-risk return with Perron due for a new contract. If it doesn’t work out, he’s off the books next summer, with extra money to spend to address needs.
3) If David Perron “finds himself” in Anaheim and plays to his capabilities, not only might Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry finally have a decent linemate, but Anaheim has time to work out a new contract before July 1st.
Carl Hagelin, 27, is a former 6th round draft pick of the New York Rangers back in 2007. He was a productive NCAA scorer with the University of Michigan before starting his pro career. He joined New York full-time in 2011-12, and has 142 points in 309 regular season career games. He’s never exceeded 20 goals or 40 points in a single season, but that could quickly change playing alongside one of Pittsburgh’s superstars. No where near the same scoring touch as James Neal, but this feels very reminiscent in the sense that Carl Hagelin has a much higher ceiling for production than we’ve seen in his short NHL career. Expectations should be high for him.
The move from a Penguins point of view is a bit confusing. The most glaring issue is taking on a player with four years left at $4 million dollars for an already cap crunched team. With rumors that next year’s salary cap could see little or no increase, it leaves even less money to spend for a team with other glaring holes to address.
Hagelin will join a few familiar face in Pittsburgh, Patric Hornqvist, whom he trains with in the summer’s.
via NHL.com,
Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist, who trains with Hagelin during the summer, said he looks forward to welcoming his new teammate.
“He’s a good friend. I think he’ll fit in really well,” Hornqvist said in comments tweeted by the Penguins.
Instead of dealing David Perron for younger assets and resetting for next season, it seems the Penguins are going to attempt to salvage a disappointing 2015-16. The addition of Carl Hagelin suggests Pittsburgh may still be on the market to add a few minor pieces down the stretch.
According to NHL.com, Anaheim GM Bob Murray is also exploring more options,
The Penguins and Ducks are each two points out of a wild-card spot in their respective conferences entering play Saturday, and Murray said Anaheim is still exploring changes it can make to the roster.
“We’re not done. We need to get better, and my group is working to do that,” he said.
Next: NHL Trade Deadline: Top 15 Available Options
One thing is for certain, Carl Hagelin should be smiling ear-to-ear after today’s news. With an opportunity to walk in to Pittsburgh and play alongside one of Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby is a chance very few players are given. Many players have gone on to make a lot more money, and have a lot more success due to their playing with one of Malkin or Crosby.
Make no mistake, this Ducks-Penguins trade is a win-win for the pair, and both teams should reap the benefits immediately. With the February 29th Trade Deadline still approaching, it’ll be interesting to see what else Anaheim and Pittsburgh do in an attempt to secure a playoff spot.