Patric Hornqvist Puts His Penguins Equipment in Driveway

Former Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist made a strong public statement on Friday. The winger hinted at his hurt and to being offended when the Penguins traded him to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Mike Matheson and fourth-line winger Colton Sceviour. Hornqvist had a no-trade clause but waived it after much consideration.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now confirmed the photo below does appear to be Hornqvist’s home near the Penguins practice facility in Cranberry Township.

UPDATE: A source from the Penguins expressed to PHN that Hornqvist has been skating for several days in Pittsburgh, and drying his equipment is a plausible explanation.

Patrick Hornqvist driveway this afternoon
Coworker lives in his neighborhood
Looks like someone tossed the gear out pic.twitter.com/XeSU55Rn6C

— Charles Tommarello (@grunge777) September 26, 2020

Hornqvist played for the Penguins for six seasons, won two Stanley Cups, and was a popular figure in the Penguins locker room. Pittsburgh Hockey Now reported Hornqvist learned of the trade from media reports before he was asked to waive his no-trade clause and his Penguins teammates were angry about the trade.

On Friday, Hornqvist told the Florida media, including our sister site Florida Hockey Now, that he decided to accept the trade when he learned “Pittsburgh didn’t want me…”

Several times, Hornqvist referenced his unhappiness. In addition to saying the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t want him, he also said he felt blindsided by the trade ask. As the full picture emerges, Hornqvist accepted the trade to Florida because he felt wanted.

In a radio interview on Friday, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford admitted the trade was emotional and the Penguins cannot replace Hornqvist on the ice or in the locker room. However, Rutherford said Hornqvist was not likely to be part of the Penguins’ top power play in 2020-21, and his role was going to be diminished.

Patric Hornqvist has three seasons remaining on his contract extension, which pays him an average of $5.3 million per season. This season, he scored 32 points, including 16 goals in 52 games.