The Pittsburgh Penguins were involved in a pair of National Hockey League trades involving Canadian defensemen on Saturday. First they traded Mike Matheson of Pointe-Claire, Quebec and a fourth round draft pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Jeff Petry and center Ryan Poehling according to Rogers Sportsnet. Then they acquired Ty Smith of Lloydminster, Alberta from the New Jersey Devils with a third round draft pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft for defenseman John Marino according to Rogers Sportsnet.
Matheson is joining his third NHL team following five seasons with the Florida Panthers and two seasons with the Penguins. Last season in Pittsburgh, Matheson played 74 games and had 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points. He was a +12 with 33 penalty minutes, two power-play points, five game-winning goals, 140 shots on goal, 81 blocked shots, 97 hits, 43 takeaways, and 43 giveaways.
Smith has spent the last two seasons with the Devils. In 66 games last year, he had five goals and 15 assists for 20 points. He was a -26 with 22 penalty minutes, four power-play points, 77 shots on goal, 73 blocked shots, 45 hits, 13 takeaways and 40 giveaways.
Petry, who has played with the Edmonton Oilers and Canadiens in his career, had six goals and 21 assists for 27 points with Montreal last year. Poehling had nine goals and eight assists for 17 points with the Habs last season, and Marino had one goal and 24 assists for 25 points with the Penguins.
