Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire David Perron From Edmonton Oilers
Dec 14, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward David Perron (57) tries to screen New York Rangers goaltender
Henrik Lundqvist(30) during the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
During his previous tenure as general manager for the Carolina Hurricanes franchise,Jim Rutherforddeveloped a reputation for making significant trades near the midpoint of the season.
It appears he hasn’t lost his taste for wintertime transactions, as the Penguins acquired Edmonton Oilers forwardDavid Perronin a Friday morning deal,according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Dreger also reportsthat Rutherford sent a 2015 first-round draft pick and recently acquired bottom-six forwardRob Klinkhammerto the rebuilding Oilers to complete the trade.
Perron, 26, fills an urgent need for scoring-line wingers on the Penguins roster. The right-handed shooter is suffering through a down season, with five goals and 19 total points in 38 games, but playing alongside eitherSidney CrosbyorEvgeni Malkinshould boost his production.
More from Pittsburgh Penguins
- Pittsburgh Penguins: A Look Back at 2019
- Penguins Will Continue to Persevere Despite Injuries
- Penguins: Alex Galchenyuk May Finally Start Meeting Expectations
- Penguins’ Three Keys to Help End Islanders’ Point Streak
- Penguins: Without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin Will Be an MVP Candidate
Perron enjoyed a career-best season in terms of production in 2013-14, scoring 28 goals and assisting on 29 others in his first year with the Oilers. He was originally drafted by St. Louis in 2007 and made his NHL debut with the Blues at the age of 19.
Known as a playmaking winger with a physical edge, Perron should slot into one of the Pens’ top two lines. WithPatric Hornqviston the injured reserve andChris Kunitzlooking like a good fit onBrandon Sutter‘s wing, it stands to reason that Perron will join either Crosby or Malkin immediately.
Perron’s current contract expires in the summer of 2016. It pays him an average annual value of $3.8 million, which mirrors his salary-cap hit.
The Quebec native will not play in Friday’s home matchup with the Lightning, so it’s likely that Pens coach Mike Johnston keeps Crosby and Malkin together on the same line for at least one more game.
The two stars skated in tandem during Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Hurricanes, although they did not produce a goal. Hard-charging rookieBryan Rustmanned the third spot on that makeshift top line.