The Penguins yesterday traded two of their top defensemen.
John Marino goes to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Ty Smith and a third round draft choice next year. Mike Matheseon was dealt to Montreal for defenseman Jeff Petry and forward Ryan Poehling.
The Marino trade will save the Penguins substantial salary cap space, but Petry’s salary will offset much of that. Marino’s cap hit of $4.4 million will be replaced by Smith’s salary cap hit of $833,333. Matheson was scheduled to cost the Penguins $4.875 million against the salary cap. Petry, a 12-year NHL veteran, will cost the Pens $6.25 million against the cap while Poehling carries a cap hit of $750,000.
The Pens also announced the signing of first-round draft pick Owen Pickering to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal will cost the Penguins $950,000 against the salary cap, but will only become effective when Pickering begins his pro career. He is expected to play another season of junior hockey this year with Swift Current in the Western Hockey League.
