Rutherford's Two Trades Improve Depth
1) Pittsburgh acquired goaltender Michael Leighton and a 2019 4th-round pick from Arizona in exchange for forward Josh Archibald, goalie Sean Maguire and a 2019 6th-round pick.
2) Pittsburgh acquired defenseman Jamie Oleksiak from Dallas in exchange for a conditional 2019 4th-round pick.
WHAT THE PENS RECEIVED:
Leighton - The Petrolia, Ontario native is a 5-time AHL All-Star and was named AHL Goaltender of the Year in 2008. He's played the bulk of his career in the AHL, though he does have 110 games of NHL experience. The 36-year-old is probably most remembered for his improbable run with Philadelphia in 2010 when he backstopped the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final.
Rutherford knows a lot about Leighton's game. The goaltender played for the Carolina Hurricanes organization from 2007-10 while Rutherford was GM. He knows what he's getting in Leighton.
Oleksiak - The Toronto native will add size to the Pens' lineup, standing at 6-foot-7, 255 pounds. He's a tough, physical player that will do the dirty job of clearing the front of the net. Oleksiak doesn't shy away from rough play, and can add snarl to the Pittsburgh lineup. He played parts of 5 seasons in Dallas after being the club's 1st-round pick (14th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.
WHAT THE PENS GAVE UP:
Archibald - It was a tough run for Archibald. He couldn't quite crack the team's top-12 forwards on the depth chart. He spent most of the season as a healthy scratch. Archibald played well in his limited games this season, especially in Monday's contest in Colorado. But it appeared best for both sides to part ways. Going to Arizona will give Archibald a chance to play, and also creates an opening for some other Pens' prospects to get a chance to play in the NHL this season.
Maguire - The goaltending prospect has spent the majority of his pro career in the ECHL. The 24-year-old enjoyed a successful college career at Boston University and a change of organization may help him fulfill his potential.
6th-round pick - With the acquisition and swapping of 4th-round picks, the Pens essentially surrendered just one draft pick in the two deals.
BOTTOM LINE:
Both of these moves were about improving the team's depth at goaltender and defense. It's not the major blockbuster trade that fans may have been anticipating, but these small deals will make the team better overall. And it gives the team some flexibility in case of injury at goal, while adding some grit on defense.
Pittsburgh's goaltending depth took a hit with the loss of Marc-Andre Fleury. Antti Niemi couldn't fill the void left by Fleury. However, rookie Tristan Jarry has proven that he can be a legitimate netminder in the NHL, and appears to have secured the backup position behind starter Matt Murray.
However, the Pens learned that they are one injury away - Murray's lower-body injury - from being dangerously thin in goal. Casey DeSmith has been a pleasant surprise and is a nice future prospect. But he needs more time to develop in the American Hockey League. Leighton is a guy that can help mentor DeSmith and fill a backup role in the NHL if called upon.
Oleksiak will bring an element of size and strength that is currently lacking from the Pens' defensive corps. Pittsburgh's blue line is constructed of mostly puck-moving, swift-skating blueliners. The Pens have struggled this season at keeping their crease clear. That's something Oleksiak will drastically improve.
