The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded defenseman Erik Gudbranson to the Anaheim Ducks for left winger Andreas Martinsen and 2021 7th round pick.
The 27-year old Gudbranson was drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 draft by the Florida Panthers. He carries a $4 million cap hit through next season.
The 29-year old Martinsen was undrafted. He carries a $750,000 cap hit and will be a UFA at the end of the season.
Thoughts from the media
Pierre LeBrun: “The Ducks have had interest in Gudbranson for some time. The Manson injury obviously put those discussions into high gear.”
Bob McKenzie: “PIT has been working at this for awhile. Designed to give them more cap/roster flexibility.”
David Pagnotta: “This deal almost came together Tuesday, but needed a few more days to finalize. Ducks wanted to bolster blueline.”
Puck Pedia: “After trading Gudbranson ($4M Annual Cap Hit -$3.5M Remaining this yr) & Trotman off Season Opening IR ($150K), #LetsGoPens have $80.96M Projected Cap Hit w/ 21 (13F/7D/2G) on Active Roster. IR: Dumoulin, Bjugstad, Galchenyuk LTIR ($13M): Malkin, Rust”
Charlie O’Connor: “So for Pittsburgh:
Carl Hagelin turns into Tanner Pearson turns into Erik Gudbranson turns into Andreas Martinsen and a 7th
And that’s in one calendar year!”
Matt Larkin: “I don’t think he was the *right* guy to get, but Gudbranson acquisition sends interesting message: Ducks think they can compete this season and reacted quickly to Manson news.”
Adam Gretz: “I will say Gudbranson probably exceeded expectations for me. He wasn’t as good this year, but he was solid last year after the trade. Bad contract to add to a cash-strapped team and not a great fit for the style of play, but that’s not his fault.”
Andreas Martinsen (traded to Pittsburgh with a late pick) is a below-average forward. Erik Gudbranson, to Anaheim in return, is exceptionally, prodigiously bad. pic.twitter.com/ki6aYhoDNQ
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) October 25, 2019
Erik Gudbranson
Andreas Martinsen