Penguins Trade Blueger to Vegas; Clear More Cap Space

TAMPA, FL — The first Pittsburgh Penguins trade this season wasn’t the big-name or big bang that many hoped, but they did recoup an asset for a pending UFA when GM Ron Hextall traded fourth-line center Teddy Blueger to the Vegas Golden Knights. And they cleared more cap space.

Vegas sent a 2024 third-rounder and defenseman Peter DiLiberatore to the Penguins.

DiLiberatore isn’t a strong prospect. After a couple of seasons in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights, he’s split this year between Henderson of the AHL and the Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECHL. He has three assists in 18 ECHL games and three more in 22 AHL games.

The 22-year-old was a sixth-round pick in 2018. He will report to the WBS Penguins.

Blueger, 28, was the Penguins’ second-round pick in 2012. He’s played 250 NHL games, the most of any Pittsburgh Penguins second-rounder since Greg Malone, who was drafted in 1976.

“We are grateful for everything that Teddy has done for this team and the organization over the past 10 years,” said Hextall. “He was one of our most reliable penalty killers and a consummate professional. We wish him nothing but the best going forward.”

Blueger struggled offensively this season. He has just two goals and 10 points in 45 games. He is also a minus-7, the worst of his five-year NHL career.

The Penguins move Blueger’s $2.2 million salary off the books, upping their cap space to at least $5.1 million or $6.3 million, pending their placement of Brock McGinn, who cleared waivers Wednesday. Forward Ryan Poehling figures to fill the vacant fourth-line spot.

Update: Shortly after the trade, the Penguins assigned McGinn and Mark Friedman to the WBS Penguins.

The NHL trade deadline is 3 p.m. Friday.

The Penguins’ trade targets, or those to whom they’ve been linked, are shrinking. Arizona defenseman Jakob Chychrun was dealt to Ottawa for much less than the reported asking price on Wednesday evening. The Penguins have been reportedly linked to Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser, as well.