PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins traded trade of defenseman Marcus Petterson and forward Drew O’Connor late Friday night.
General Manager Kyle Dubas announced just before midnight that Petterson and O’Connor were traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for the New York Rangers’ conditional first-round draft pick, forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais and forward Melvin Fernstrom.
The condition on the draft pick is that the Penguins will receive whichever of the New York Rangers’ 2025 or 2026 first-round draft picks Vancouver gets as part of their trade with the New York Rangers earlier on Friday.
“Moving two long-time Penguins is never an easy decision,” Dubas said. “Marcus and Drew have competed day-in and day-out for the organization since the day they arrived. Both players are high-quality people, highly competitive players and zero maintenance for their fellow teammates and the staff of the Penguins.”
With the addition of this pick, the Penguins have 29 selections over the next three NHL drafts — the most of all teams — including four first-round selections and 15 picks within the first three rounds.
Dubas says the trade continues to move the team in a direction set a year ago — adding young prospects, young players and draft capital as the Penguins work “to return the club back into contention as urgently as possible.”
Heinen, who played two seasons with the Penguins between 2021 and 2023, is now signed with the team through the 2025-26 season. His contract has an average annual value of $2.25 million.
Desharnais is signed through the 2025-26 season. His contract has an average annual value of $2 million.
Fernstrom, 18, is currently playing in Sweden’s top professional league.
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