The deal did not retain any salaries and no other pieces were involved besides the players listed.
The New Man In Black
Penguins fans will remember the speedy Swede from his years in New York with the Rangers, particularly his play against us during the previous two playoff seasons. Hagelin, 27, is a native of Sweden and was the Rangers' 6th round selection (168th overall) out of the University of Michigan in the 2007 NHL Draft.
Hagelin remained with Michigan for four seasons (2007-11), playing in 171 career CCHA games for the Wolverines. In his time in Ann Arbor, he scored 61 goals and posted 152 points. His best year was his junior season in 2009-10 when he posted 19 goals and 50 points. He was also an All-CCHA First Team all-star his senior season.
In 2011-12, Hagelin made the jump to the NHL full time after starting the season out with the Rangers' AHL affiliates. He played 64 games his rookie season, posting 14 goals and 38 points largely in a third-line role. Hagelin played every game of the lockout-shortened season for the Rangers, posting 10 goals and 24 points in an expanded role in the Rangers top six. He also became one of the Rangers top penalty killers as well.
The Swede had a solid 2013-14 season for the Rangers, scoring a career-high 17 goals and compiling 33 points in 72 games for the Rangers. He was even better in the Blue Shirts Stanley Cup run, where he posted 7 goals and 12 points in 25 games, including two shorthanded goals. Hagelin was also part of the Swedish Olympic team that took home silver at Sochii.
2014-15 was a career season for the Swede and would prove to be his last in New York. He played in all 82 games and posted 17 goals and 35 points. He was also a plus-18 on the season. Penguins fans will remember him best for his series clinching goal in the overtime of Game 5 in the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Rangers knew they would have to pay the young winger following the season and instead decided to trade the impending restricted free agent to the Western Conference. The Rangers sent Hagelin to the Anaheim Ducks for winger Emerson Etem and 2nd round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft on June 27th. The Ducks proceeded to sign Hagelin to a new 4-year, 16 million dollar deal.
His first half in Anaheim left much to be desired for the struggling Ducks. In 42 games, he scored only 4 goals and 11 points. He was a minus-11 largely in a third line role for Anaheim. In his last game for the Ducks, he scored a goal and assist and had three points in his last 5 games before the trade.
My Thoughts on the Deal
David Perron was the big piece in this trade and it isn't surprising. Perron has struggled for the Penguins this season and grossly underperformed. Perron had just 4 goals and 16 points in 42 games, largely in a top-six role. He hadn't scored a goal since December 1st, going 19 games without one. That is inexcusable playing alongside the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
While many in the nation were a fan of Perron and his play away from the puck, the brass had different feelings. Perron was removed from the top line v. Carolina on Tuesday and coach MIke Sullivan was so displeased with his play he was looking to make him a healthy scratch last night v. Tampa Bay according to Josh Yohe of DK on Pittsburgh Sports. The injury to Nick Bonino forced their hang and he reaimined in the lineup. Perron played just 14 minutes last night.
At the end of the day, the Perron experiment was a flop. He teased us all with 9 goals in his first 15 games for the Penguins after a January trade last season, but produced just seven goals over his last 70 games played with Pittsburgh. He was an impending UFA and Rutherford was smart to move him for something.
As for Adam Clendening, the kid had no future here. He played in just 9 games for the Penguins and only 2 games over the last 6 weeks. He was sent to WBS last week on a conditioning assignment, but failed to crack the lineup following his return. According to reports, Clendening was becoming increasingly displeased with being a constant scratch, to the point where DK's Josh Yohe writes he was joking about it to anyone who would listen. The change of scenery may do him good, for he really had no chance here moving forward.
Now, for the guy coming in. I personally like the deal for the Penguins if Hagelin can return to the player he was with the Rangers.
The first thing he brings is speed and a ton of it. Hagelin is regarded as one of the fastest skaters in the entire NHL. GM Jim Rutherford noted that was a big reason for acquiring him. Hagelin's speed and position should make him a prime candidate to play alongside Sidney Crosby on the top line, finally relegating Chris Kunitz to a lesser role.
Next, he has a history with Sullivan. Mike Sullivan was the Rangers' assistant coach for Hagelin's first two years in the NHL. The two have a working relationship and Rutherford said that played a role in this deal according to multiple sources. This should make Hagelin's transition to Pittsburgh a little easier considering he will know what to expect from Sullivan.
Then there is his defensive play. Though it wasn't on display well in Anaheim, Hagelin was one of the Rangers' best penalty killers over his four years there. He will help replace Nick Bonino's minutes on the kill while he is out injured and should prove to be a solid partner for him when he returns from injury on the PK. We may be rid of Kevin Porter yet.
While Hagelin has struggled this season, he hasn't been any worse than David Perron. I'm sorry, but 0 goals in 19 games playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is inexcusable. He was on both of their lines during their hot streaks and failed to produce little. That simply shows he wasn't up for the task and he performed even worse when he was relegated to a bottom six role. Hagelin should be reinvigorated by the change of scenery, and his familiarity with the Eastern Conference should help the transition.
Finally, GMJR traded two impending free agents for someone he can control for the next four years. Hagelin signed his four year deal in the offseason, so the Penguins will have him through the end of the 2018-19 season. His four million dollar annual cap hit is a little high for someone who's never broken the 20 goal plateau, but if his speed and penalty killing ability live up to expectations and he finds a niche alongside Crosby or Malkin, it could be a bargain deal moving forward. That will not be answered for some time, but I am willing to take that risk.
Overall, I like the deal for the Penguins. I think Hagelin helps the team get faster and better defensively. I think given the opportunity, he should flourish alongside the likes of Crosby or Malkin in the Penguins top-six. I would start him out with Crosby, see if the speed and Crosby's skill can mesh and put Kunitz with Malkin since those two play well together too. So for those watching at home I'd go with Hagelin-Crosby-Hornqivst, Kunitz-Malkin-Kessel as the top six going out there tomorrow in a huge game v. Carolina.
It's always difficult to see guys leave town, but it's equally exciting to see new guys come in. So with that, I will close by saying goodbye, good luck and thank you to Adam Clendening and David Perron and welcome to Pittsburgh to Carl Hagelin.