Minor Penguins Trade; Hellberg Dealt to Contender

Magnus Hellberg’s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the organization came to a close Friday afternoon just before the 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline. The Penguins traded Hellburg to the Florida Panthers.

The Penguins received little compensation: a conditional seventh-round pick and 27-year-old Swiss goalie Ludovic Waeber, who is playing in his first North American pro season. Waeber has only an .887 save percentage in 15 AHL games with the Charlotte Checkers.

The move is likely similar to the one Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas swung when he traded defenceman Will Butcher to the Minnesota Wild earlier this season, taking care of a veteran player and giving them a chance in a better situation.

Hellberg will be the third or fourth goalie in the Florida system, playing beside former rookie sensation Spencer Knight.