The Penguins' lack of center depth was a glaring weakne s to begin the 2017-18 season, a po sibleimpediment to their three-peat prospects disguisedbytwo of the world's best Aqib Talib Jersey players at the top of the lineup.
On Saturday, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions made an attempt to addre s that concern, acquiring center Riley Sheahanfrom the Red Wings in exchange for forward Scott Wilson and a third-round draft pick in 2018, . Pittsburgh also will receivea fifth-round pick from Detroit in 2018.
Sheahan, Eric Weddle Jersey 25, was once a promising piece to the Red Wings' core. Drafted 21st overall in 2010, he made his NHL debut at 22 and had 85 points in 202 games from 2013-16. But his development fell off a cliff in 2016-17, when he infamously didn't score a goal until netting two in the Red Wings' final game of the season, his 80th.
MORE:
Sheahanhas yet to register a point in eight games so far in 2017-18.
For the Penguins, his addition is a low-risk gamble he can rediscover that first-round pedigree and take over as their everyday third-line center, a Cam Akers Jersey role that remained vacantafterNick Bonino's departure via free agency this summer.Greg McKeggwon the roster spot outof training camp, and Marshall Faulk Jersey has performed respectably as a stopgap. ButSheahanrepresents more offensive upside if the change of scenery helps to rehabilitate his scoring confidence, a knack Pittsburgh has proven in case studies like Bonino.
"He really should be just coming into his prime. He should be able to do it," Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said of Sheahanturning his career around, . "Hes going to play with good players here.
"He dropped off a little bit last year in his production, but theres no reason why he cant get that back."
SN EXCLUSIVE:
Detroit's interests hingedentirely on clearing salary Troy Hill Jersey cap space for Andreas Athanasiou, . Operating at the cap ceiling,Red Wings GM Ken Holland's hands were tiedby a glut of overpriced veteran deals and hehad to move someone off the roster to fitAthanasiou's $1.3875 million salary.
Sheahan, a restricted free agent next summer,carries a $2.075 million cap hit the rest of 2017-18, now off the Red Wings' books.
Wilson is on the final year of hisentry-level contract and had appeared in three Lance Dunbar Jersey of the Penguins' first eight games.
In a separate deal Saturday , the Red Wings acquiredforward Matt Puempel from the Rangers in return for defensemanRyanSproul.
