With Andreas Athanasiou coming back to the Detroit Red Wings very soon, Detroit had to make a couple salary cap moves as they didn’t have any room for him under the cap, or on the roster. The Pittsburgh Penguins had been reportedly trying to acquire Riley Sheahan to fill their third centre role since the summer. The Penguins got their guy after Detroit agreed to to terms with Athanasiou.

In exchange the Penguins give up Scott Wilson and a third round draft pick. Detroit also gives up a fifth round pick to Pittsburgh.

Riley Sheahan for Scott Wilson and exchange of picks is the deal. Detroit-Pittsburgh trade.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 21, 2017

Detroit Red Wings Send Riley Sheahan to Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins had been looking for a third line center ever since Nick Bonino signed a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators. To make matters worse, Matt Cullen signed with the Minnesota Wild which really hampered the Penguins center depth behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Greg McKegg had been being the third line center with Carter Rowney as the fourth line center. With this move, McKegg will move down to the fourth line.

Pittsburgh has made a habit of acquiring players who have low value and having them turn their careers around a bit and hope this trade with Sheahan is no different. Sheahan shot 1% last year and didn’t score before the last game of the regular season. There’s a very low chance that happens again as he’s a career 8% shooter. He could put up between 10-15 goals for the Penguins and 25 points this season, as he’ll have better linemates than he did in Detroit.

In Scott Wilson, the Red Wings get a capable bottom six forward with some scoring ability. He wasn’t getting much playing time this season due to the Penguins wing depth. The Wings can use the extra depth on the wing. Last season, Wilson had eight goals and 26 points while also having three playoff goals and six points.