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Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said to the word he was going to bring in a defenseman this week and wanted to do so prior to the March 1st NHL Trade Deadline. Looks like he's got his man
Ron Hainsey to Penguins in return Hurricanes gets a 2nd pick and Danny Kristo. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) February 23, 2017
Danny Kristo is just an AHL body, nothing of importance - except that NHL teams can only have 50 NHL contracts. The Pens aren't near the limit but at least this trade won't be any sort of strain on the organization's contract limit.
Pittsburgh has (or had) all their draft pick in 2017, including a first rounder. Getting Hainsey without sacrificing that is something.
Elliotte Friedman was on the money on this one, he said he thought Pittsburgh was in on Michael Stone (traded yesterday to Calgary for a 3rd + conditional 5th pick) and mentioned he thought they were in talks for Hainsey too. Now, they apparently have their guy.
Rutherford knows Hainsey well, he signed the player in 2013 to join Carolina and he had been there ever since. Hainsey, interestingly enough and a fact you're sure to hear a million times over the next few hours/days/weeks/months has never played in the NHL playoffs, despite turning 36 years old next month and playing in 891 career regular season game.
Here's a Hockey News Scouting Report
Assets: Has excellent mobility, size and reach. Can play on either side of the ice. Displays some offensive ability. Is capable of logging a ton of minutes, if required. Flaws: Is far too soft for his big frame. Can go through rough stretches in all elements of the game over the course of a season. Is also somewhat inconsistent in the NHL. Career Potential: Veteran defenseman.
More as it breaks..
Well this is one reason Hainsey will be needed- Trevor Daley joins Olli Maatta in the 6 week injury camp.
Trevor Daley out 6 weeks after knee surgery. Penguins acquire veteran D Ron Hainsey from Carolina for No 2 pick, minor-leaguer Danny Kristo.
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) February 23, 2017
Update 2 - Carolina keeping half Hainsey's salary
Carolina retains 50 percent of Ron Hainsey salary/cap hit in the trade
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 23, 2017