The Pittsburgh Penguins announced late on Thursday night that they have acquired longtime bottom six center Nick Bonino from San Jose Sharks. The Sharks received a 5th round pick and a 7th round pick for Bonino. Then, they flipped the 5th round pick to a third team broker per Pierre LeBrun.
Good morning…hearing that late last night, Nick Bonino was dealt to PIT @IceSinghHNIC
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 3, 2023
Sharks get a 5thRD pick and 7thRD pick for Bonino and flip 5thRD pick to third team broker
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 3, 2023
Sharks Make Nick Bonino Trade to Penguins
The final years of the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin era are upon the Penguins. Looks like they are getting the band back together. Bonino played a vital role in the Penguins two Stanley Cup Championships in 2016 and 2017. He centered the famous “HBK” line, which also featured Carl Haglien and Phil Kessel.
Bonino has 10 goals and 19 points in 59 games with the Sharks this season. He has racked up a ton of primary assists alongside Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm as his most common line mates. Bonino doesn’t have much offensive talent, however, his defensive game is what makes him special
Impact of the Nick Bonino Trade
The Penguins recently traded Teddy Blueger to the Vegas Golden Knights. Blueger came in to replace Bonino a year after he left Pittsburgh. Furthermore, the Penguins now receive great defensive help in the bottom six. Bonino will likely center Drew O’Connor and Josh Archibald on Pittsburgh’s 4th line.
The Penguins currently hold the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They sit seven points behind the New York Rangers with a game in hand. The club has won four straight, picking up an overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night.
It seems Pittsburgh is finally hitting their stride. With the defensive upgrades of Jan Rutta and Jeff Petry , expectations were still relatively high. The team committed to competing after extending Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang over the summer.
The team also traded for passing threat Mikael Granlund from the Nashville Predators earlier this week. It’s win or die for the Penguins.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
