Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford sent Twitter abuzz this morning. At a press conference announcing his contract extension, he also told reporters that the team had made a trade, but could not confirm details until after the trade call has been completed. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Penguins have acquired forward Tanner Pearson from the Kings. In exchange, the Kings get forward Carl Hagelin.
Sources say Tanner Pearson is going to the Penguins.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 14, 2018
Hagelin for Pearson. One for one. Done deal.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 14, 2018
Stay tuned, as we will get you the details as they become available.
Los Angeles Kings Trade Tanner Pearson to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pearson, 26, is signed for this season, and two more, at a cap hit of $3.75 million per season. Pearson is struggling with just one assist in 17 games so far this season. His Corsi-For is at 49.1 percent, with a relative Corsi of -1.6.
Pearson has spent his entire six-year NHL career with Los Angeles. He was the team’s first-round pick, 30th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft, and has won a Stanley Cup with the team. Pearson has 69 goals and 75 assists for 144 points in 325 career NHL games. He has also added five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 34 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The Penguins retain salary on Hagelin, so that the move does not effect either team’s cap this season.
Penguins retained $250k salary on Hagelin to even out the money on Pearson
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 14, 2018
Hagelin
Hagelin, 30, is in the final year of his contract, with an AAV of $4 million this year. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. He is also struggling with one goal and two assists for three points in 16 games this year. Hagelin’s possession numbers are 52.0 percent Corsi-For, with a relative Corsi of 3.2.
Hagelin has played for the Penguins, the New York Rangers, and Anaheim Ducks over his eight-year NHL career. He won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins. In 504 career games, Hagelin has 89 goals and 225 career points. He has added 22 goals and 47 points in 121 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
What this Means
The Kings, in last place in the NHL, and with injuries to their top two goalies have started tearing down the team. They move a struggling player with two additional years left on his contract for Hagelin who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Kings likely hope to rejuvenate Hagelin and move him again at the deadline.
Meanwhile, the Penguins pick up Pearson, hoping that playing him in their top-nine, and possibly the top-six will spark the 26-year-old and help him find his game. Pearson scored 24 goals in 2016-17 and has two 40-point seasons in his career. The Penguins, currently 24th in the NHL, are looking for some secondary scoring.
Main Photo: LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 06: Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (70) during the NHL regular season hockey game between the Calgary Flames and the Los Angeles Kings on April 6, 2017, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
