Penguins Put McGinn, Friedman on Waivers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed winger Brock McGinn and defenseman Mark Friedman on waivers.

The moves conceivably were made to open roster spots and/or salary-cap space for one or more trades before the NHL deadline Friday at 3 p.m.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that a deal is imminent; GM Ron Hextall could just be trying to give himself the flexibility to act on short notice if an attractive proposal comes along.

The Penguins will know by 2 p.m. Wednesday whether either player has been claimed. If they are not, they can be assigned to the Penguins’ American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, although the rules also would allow them to remain on the NHL roster.

McGinn has two years remaining on a deal that carries a $2.75 million cap hit, while Friedman’s contract has a cap hit of $775,000.

McGinn does not have a point in his past 26 games, but is a regular member of the penalty-killing unit. He was in his usual spot at left wing on the third line during the Penguins’ game-day skate at Bridgestone Arena today.

Friedman has missed the past seven games because of an unspecified upper-body injury, although Mike Sullivan said after the game-day skate that he and forward Ryan Poehling had been cleared for full contact.

Friedman generally is the Penguins’ No. 7 or 8 defenseman when they do not have injuries on their blue line.

St. Louis claimed winger Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday.