The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded defenceman Erik Gudbranson to the Anaheim Ducks. In exchange, the Ducks send left-winger Andreas Martinsen and a seventh-round draft pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Ducks were seeking defensive help for a while now. The Penguins were looking to shed some salary.
?TRADE ALERT ? We’ve acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Penguins in exchange for left wing Andreas Martinsen and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick.https://t.co/EEQx1Zr7GI
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) oCTOBER 25 2019
Anaheim Ducks Acquire Erik Gudbranson from Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Gudbranson was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the first round, third overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. After playing five seasons with the Panthers, Florida traded him to the Vancouver Canucks in 2016. Last season ahead of the Trade Deadline, the Penguins acquired him to bolster their blue line before the playoffs. However, Gudbranson’s acquisition has been a rather disappointment for Pittsburgh. He has appeared in 19 games recording two assists. He also added one goal in four playoff games.
During the 2019-20 season, Gudbranson skated in seven contests without any points. Andreas Martinsen, who the Penguins acquired in exchange for Gudbranson, is a 29-year-old left-winger. The Norwegian forward is a fringe NHL player who is best suited in the bottom six. He has skated in 152 NHL games recording 23 points. At the NHL level, he has played for the Colorado Avalanche, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Montreal Canadiens. He has not played a single NHL game with the Ducks.
What Does This Mean For The Future?
The Penguins clearly wanted to shed some salary-cap hit. Gudbranson signed a three-year deal worth $4 million per campaign back in 2018 with the Canucks. On the other side, the Ducks were seeking aid on their blueline. Lately, they have lost defenceman Josh Manson due to an injury amid a three-game losing skid. Gudbranson, the 27-year-old right-shot blueliner, will arrive as veteran defensive help for the Head Coach Dallas Eakins in Anaheim.
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