Oilers/Penguins Trade: David Perron for 1st & Rob Klinkhammer

[flemingc04]

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
Complete deal has Pitt sending a 1st in 2015 and Rob Klinkhammer to the Oilers for David Perron.

And the shoe drops. For both teams.

[flemingc04]

Overall, I think this is a good trade for both teams.

Edmonton is starting to stock up for a deep draft, while also tanking for McDavid/Eichel. Plus they added a depth player in Klinkhammer.

Pittsburgh has now add to their depleted roster (injuries/sickness). The main issue for the Penguins is the salary cap. Perron is signed for $3.8million per year to the end of 2015-16, which should provide too value since he will be playing alongside Crosby/Malkin on the top two lines. They also move a UFA in Klinkhammer ($625million).

And with the Penguins limited cap space, I found this comment on Twitter to be an important one to note:
Bob Stauffer ‏@Bob_Stauffer
Combination of Hornqvist and Dupuis (LTIR) injuries provided mechanism for Pens to take on Perron's money.

It sounds Perron won't affect this year's cap space much since they have saved room with injured players. Therefore, they could still add more later on to make a deep playoff run. Come the summer however, they have some UFAs (Goc, Downie, Adams, Comeau, Ebbett, Sill, Ehrhoff, Martin, Greiss) and RFAs (Bennett, Megna, Uher, Farnham, Dumoulin, Bortuzzo) to re-sign, trade, or walk away from as well. Some of which will be easy and very difficult decisions. Either way, Perron's contract makes those decisions more difficult and probably increases the likelihood of some trades up to the trade deadline.

[capt55]

They gave Perron away for nothing, dumping of a salary for the Oilers.

[flemingc04]

A 1st is never nothing...regardless of what slot the pick ends up being. From my understanding Perron wanted out and was very critical of the Oilers organization. Usually when a players wants out, your options become a bit more limited. A 1st round pick is always a great asset to have in any draft and Perron has not been as productive in Edmonton as last year so far.

Also, to acquire Perron from St. Louis, the Oilers traded Magnus Paajarvi (recently waived and unclaimed on Dec.30) and a 2nd (Ivan Barbashev). So they didn't give up more to St. Louis than they got for him in Pittsburgh either. Plus, a late 1st round pick in this coming draft is much better this year as it is expected to be very deep draft (unlike last year). Whether they keep the 1st or not remains to be seen. Same for who they draft and how that player pans out.

[pwskelly]

Great move for the Pens. Perron is a versatile forward who can play alongside Crosby/Malkin and not be a detriment. The Oilers need to overhaul their front office.

[capt55]

The Oilers will get a 26 plus pick, really not much and this team has been rebuilding for years, with no results, the owner who runs the team needs to clear house, but then again he would look bad, because he hired all these so called hockey people.

[RGM81]

This is one of the better moves the Oilers have done. Perron was a malcontent in Edmonton and it's not always easy to make a hockey trade in that scenario. So they get a late first-round pick in exchange for a problem child. Klinkhammer is a fun name to say, also.

For the Penguins, as the never-ending search for the perfect wingers for Sid & Geno continues, this is a solid acquisition.

As to the bigger picture in Edmonton - it's not likely to be solved with a mid-season trade. It will take time, so it's not the kind of thing that can be done overnight. There's two great hockey men currently without jobs...and they just happen to be the previous administration for the Penguins.

[mooneyes]

Klinkhammer hammers one! but klinks it off de post...I guess you could say Klinkhammer hammerklinked it...ya?