The Los Angeles Kings have traded forward Tanner Pearson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Carl Hagelin.
Pierre LeBrun: The Penguins will retain $250,000 of Hagelin’s salary.
The 26-year old Pearson was drafted 30th overall in the first round of the 2012 draft. He carries a $3.75 million salary cap hit through 2020-21.
The 30-year old Hagelin was drafted 168th overall in the sixth round of the 2007 draft. He carries a $4 million salary cap hit and will be a free agent after this season.
Thoughts from the media
Jason Mackey: “One way of looking at this: Pens knew they were gonna lose Hagelin after this year. This way, they ensure getting something for him. Pearson is a bit of a chance, yes, but if you feel he might fit … I guess I can see the reasoning.”
Jon Rosen: “This is essentially to create cap flexibility and remove Pearson’s $3.75M AAV through 2021. A tough end in LA for Pearson, whose trade value was much higher before the last year or two.”
Dan Rosen: “Kings get faster with Hagelin and contract flexibility after the season because he can be UFA July 1. Penguins get a player in Pearson who has scoring touch but hasn’t found it this season. Bit of a reclamation project but they may be the perfect team to do that with him.”
Dan Rosen: “Pearson should produce and find his game again if he gets a shot to play with Evgeni Malkin. You could produce on a line with Malkin. Yeah, you. I’m not sure about me, though.”
Gus Katsaros: Carl Hagelin: “Bold, hyper-active speedster .. industrious and established penalty-killer .. non-stop engine .. resilient .. fearless and effective along the boardsskating is most impressive, speed, poise, edges and lateral shifts .. forces plays when not evident.”
Gus Katsaros: Tanner Pearson: “Versatile, opportunistic winger.. good size and playmaking ability – skilled and patient .. underrated shooter .. attacks lanes body and blade at the ready for tips and rebounds .. plain, one-speed skater .. gets lost on the perimeter.”
Bob Stauffer: “Kings obviously wanted to get out of the last two years (19-20, 20-21) of Pearson’s deal (3.75M). He has just 0-1-1, -9, 17 GP, but twice has hit 40 points. IMO LA will be able to flip Hagelin as a rental at the deadline for a mid-round pick.”
Anthony Petrielli: “Pearson (and most of that Kings team) has been terrible this season, but compared to Hagelin he’s 4 years younger and has a history of being more productive. No idea how that equates to one-for-one.”
Jim Matheson: “Kings need speed in lineup and Hagelin provides that but doesn’t have scorer’s mitts. Pearson slower but can score but having miserable yr”
Kevin Gibson: “Tanner Pearson 0G, 1A this season, assist came in season opener. Last 26 reg season GP, he has 0G, 5A”
Tanner Pearson to the #Penguins
Carl Hagelin to #GoKingsGo
Surprise for me is seeing the Kings take a 30 year old player on top of the older group they already have, basically doubling down. Pearson wasn’t producing in LA but his underlying #’s suggest that could be temporary. pic.twitter.com/UDMsmR6EMH— Bill Comeau 🏒📊🇨🇦 (@billius27) November 14, 2018
Jesse Marshall: (commenting on Comeau’s tweet) “Pearson does well to create a good amount of shots and scoring chances for a bottom six forward. Penguin fans should feel encouraged about his 3-year results.”
Tanner Pearson
Carl Hagelin