The Pens traded D Ryan Whitney today to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for LW Chris Kunitz and minor league W/C Eric Tangradi.
I like the trade. Ray Shero gave up a good young defensemen, but he vastly improved the collection of wingers on the team, and he added some depth to the forward spot in the minors.
I'm sad to see Whitney go. You can't replace his size and skills. I know he disappointed some this season after his return from his foot injury, but he was a huge part of the blue line. He played in all situations and moved the puck extremely well.
Good luck to Whit. I think he'll be very successful as time goes on.
In return, the GM Ray Shero obtained some help for today and some possible help for the future.
Kunitz is a middle-tier scorer (20-25 goals per season) who has been playing mostly in even-strength and short-handed situations recently. He gives HCDB another penalty killer to deploy and adds some scoring depth. Considering that Fedotenko is your top LW right now, you'd have to think that Kunitz is ticketed to play with Sid.
Tangradi is big (6'3") and young (20). He's in the OHL currently, though I'd expect him in Wilkes-Barre for the playoffs this year. He adds some much needed size and depth to the forward spot in the organization.
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Like the move. I think Kunitz will fit right in with HCDB new style. From what I hear about Tangradi, he could be a real player in a year or 2. I'm really looking forward to Friday if Sid's playing to see how having a vet and solid player like Kunitz on his line opens the ice up.
I'm also sad to see Whitney go, especially because I think the defense will need rebuilding very soon... Gonchar can't keep up his pace forever, and the rest of the D is scattered. But... there were too many defenders, and now we can bring up Goligoski if we want, move Letang around, whatever HCDB wants, while taking care of a serious lacking on the front 3.
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