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Penguins Trade Eric Tangradi To Winnipeg Jets for 7th round pick

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a minor deal, sending 23 year old forward Eric Tangradi to the Winnipeg Jets, in exchange for a 2013 7th round pick. Tangradi had all the tools but just couldn't put it all together, and the Pens knew they'd lose him on waivers, so they clear up a roster spot for at least a low pick.

By Hooks Orpik
He only scored 1 goal in 45 games as a Penguin, but at least Tangradi checked a Flyer once.
He only scored 1 goal in 45 games as a Penguin, but at least Tangradi checked a Flyer once.
Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

The first place I saw it was Chris Johnston (Rogers Sportnet and NHL Network)

The #NHLJets have acquired Eric Tangradi from the #Pens for a seventh-round pick in 2013.

For Tangradi, it just didn't work out in Pittsburgh. He's been in the organization since Feb 2008, brought in on the Chris Kunitz for Ryan Whitney deal. Which by the way, after 3 healthy scratches in five games, looks like the Pens dumped Whitney at the perfect point of his value until the foot/ankle injuries have robbed his career.

Tangradi, unfortunately, got cast in a role he couldn't fill. After a decent rookie professional season in 2009-10 (39 points in 65 AHL games), many were hoping Tangradi would make the next step to the NHL. He never really fully made that step, and a trade to a new organization might be just what the doctor ordered to breathe some life in a career that's flat-lined.

Tangradi would split time between Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh from the fall of 2010 until the lockout, where he was brought up and given a chance by Pens brass to fill in a second line spot with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. Unfortunately, it just didn't work out, Tangradi didn't have the puck skills, skating ability, or hockey sense to keep up with the two all-stars and his style wasn't a natural fit for how Dan Bylsma coaches.

For the Penguins, they need roster spaces. Kris Letang and Matt Niskanen were removed off IR, and they like Robert Bortuzzo and Simon Despres enough to carry eight defensemen, which puts a crunch on the forwards. At that point, it came down to a numbers game between Zach Boychuk (picked up on waivers a few weeks ago) and Dustin Jeffrey. Pittsburgh knew that a player Tangradi's age (23) with his size (6'4, 220) and pedigree (great minor league scorer, high draft pick and prospect) would not clear waivers. So unlike the Brian Strait route- lost on waivers for nothing, at least Pittsburgh recoups a 7th round pick.

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