Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling from Montreal Canadiens for Mike Matheson and a pick

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made their second deal of the day, acquiring defenseman Jeff Petry and center Ryan Poehling from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Mike Matheson and a 2023 fourth round draft pick.

The two defensemen are the main pieces of the deal, and both come in on somewhat similar deals. Petry is 34 years old and a right shot defenseman, with a $6.25 million cap hit and three years left on his deal. Matheson is a bit younger at only 28, has a left handed shot, and has four years left on his deal, with a $4.875 cap hit. Poehling, who is only 23 and coming off his first lengthy stint in the NHL, still has a year left on his league minimum deal.

Petry had a season to forget in Montreal, with just 27 points in 68 games in 2021-22. It was the first time since the 2016-17 season that he had less than 40 points in a season, even the shortened 2020-21 season.

Meanwhile, Matheson is coming off a career year in Pittsburgh, with 11 goals, 20 assists, and 31 points in 74 games, all three being career highs for him.

As mentioned before, Poehling is coming off his first season in the NHL in a somewhat full time role, logging in 57 games with the Habs. He had nine goals, eight assists, and 17 points on the season.

This is the second trade the Penguins have made today. It was another swap of defensemen, dealing John Marino to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Ty Smith and a 2023 third round pick. It makes for a crowded blueline in Pittburgh with the addition of Jan Rutta in free agency, but the first trade allowed them a bit of cap flexibility for this second trade, which is now sitting at just under $2 million with restricted free agent Kasperi Kapanen still left to sign.

For Montreal, it frees up a bit of cap space, and they get a younger defenseman out of it, as well as another draft pick for next year. The Habs were looking to deal Petry anyways, so this still gives them an experienced body to play next year as they look to improve on their 32nd place finish.

They also made a signing shortly after the trade, signing center Rem Pitlick to a two year contract with a $1.1 million cap hit. Pitlick had a bit of a breakout season with the Habs, with nine goals and 26 points in 46 games in 2021-22.