The Pittsburgh Penguins and Arizona Coyotes make a trade …
NHL.com: The Arizona Coyotes trade goaltender Michael Leighton and a 2019 fourth round pick (Minnesota’s pick) to the Pittsburgh Penguins for goaltender Sean Maguire, forward Josh Archibald and a 2019 sixth round pick.
Leighton is on a two-way contract with an NHL salary of $650,000 and will be a UFA at the end of the year. He will report to the Penguins AHL team in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The 36-year old Leighton was drafted 165th overall in the 6th round of the 1999 draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 25-year old Archibald was drafted 174th overall in the 6th round of the 2011 draft by the Penguins.
The 24-year old Maguire was drafted 113th overall in the 4th round of the 2012 draft by the Penguins.
Thoughts from the media …
Craig Morgan: Coyotes GM John Chayka had expected them to be quite leading up to tonight’s roster freeze: “Things change fast.”
Josh Yohe: “Perhaps this trade is the first step in something bigger, i.e. clearing roster/cap space. On the surface, seems quite puzzling.”
Spector’s Hockey: “The #Pens add goalie depth in Michael Leighton but that won’t resolve their recent scoring woes & ongoing need for a skilled two-way, third-line center.”
Jason Mackey: “Didn’t have Michael Leighton on my GMJR shake-up board. Could maybe think this means a Jarry move is coming, but geez, Leighton has played seven games since start of 2010-11. Looks more like a project.”
NHL Numbers: “Michael Leighton was traded from Tampa Bay to Arizona and now he’s been traded to Pittsburgh. The Penguins will be his seventh NHL franchise.”
Michael Leighton
Josh Archibald
Sean Mcguire