The Detroit Red Wings completed a trade that will send center Riley Sheahan and a 2018 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for wing Scott Wilson and a 2018 third-round pick, according to Cap Friendly. The deal was originally reported by TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
A move was expected after the Red Wings reached an agreement with winger Andreas Athanasiou yesterday. The team needed to make a corresponding roster move to get under the cap before the deal with Athanasiou becomes official and this trade accomplishes that. Sheahan is making $2.075MM this year, and will be a restricted free agent next year. However, by swapping Sheahan for Wilson, who makes just $650K, it will clear enough room for Athanasiou. According to CapFriendly, the trade gives Detroit $1,470,220 in LTIR salary relief.
As for Pittsburgh, the team finally gets its long coveted center it needs for its line. The Penguins, who have been rumored to be looking for a center to fill a hole on their third line, have been mentioned in multiple rumors since the team lost Nick Bonino to Nashville and Matt Cullen to Minnesota in the offseason, including earlier talks with Detroit about Sheahan, but the team finally got their center. In the meantime, the Penguins have been using Greg McKegg and Carter Rowney on the back two lines, but Sheahan should be an upgrade. McKegg has a goal and two assists in eight games, while Rowney has a goal and one assist.
Sheahan, a former 2010 first-round pick, has been in the league for many years, but at 25, has never been able to break out like Detroit had expected. In his third full season last year, Sheahan managed just two goals and 11 assists in 80 games. His best season was in 2014-15, when he put up 13 goals and 36 points. Sheahan has zero points in eight games this season. The young center has struggled with the speed of the game, but the general belief is that the center just needs to continue to develop his offensive game.
Wilson, a fan favorite, hasn’t cracked the lineup in Pittsburgh much as he’s played in just three games so far this year with the Penguins, but is coming off a 2016-17 season in which he scored eight goals and 18 assists. As he was often a healthy scratch, the general belief is that he would eventually have to be placed on waivers with the eventual promotion of prospect Daniel Sprong.
Another steal by Rutherford. Watch him become a breakout star now. Ugh. They are dominant.
Man, don’t get your hopes up about Sheahan. I am a die-hard Red Wings fan & he has done absolutely nothing in several years. I am hoping that the coaching staff of Pittsburgh can get something in his head to click. I am rooting for the three-peat in Pittsburgh because it has been so long since it has happened & I do hope that Sheahan helps out. Good luck to you all in that elusive quest for that third Stanley Cup in a row!
I don’t want the Pens to win another game this season, let alone another Cup lol.
PK, we kind of called that trade
Yes sir we did, Bap! I am hoping that the coaching staff of Pittsburgh can get Sheahan’s career turned around for him. He showed flashes of talent here & there but not enough to get him promoted up off of Detroit’s fourth line.
But, it is also my opinion that Holland was in Blashill’s ear way too much & Sheahan was used in the wrong way. He is alot better being used defensively & not on the power play because his lack of production scoring goals seemed to hurt his confidence.
Holland, under the salary cap era, has been known to hurt a young players game & confidence. He nearly did this to Mantha & Athanasiou by berating them in public & in the press. This was also the case with Sheahan & I am hoping that the change of scenery helps straighten him out.
I hope so too, PK. He should have some pretty good line mates here.
Hey Bap, if you can please keep me posted about Sheahan because now you will be able to see him play alot more than I will. Sheahan has the typical power forward size but now, he needs to find a power forwards game. If the coaching staff there in Pittsburgh can turn his game around, he has the potential to be a very productive player for you. He can now watch how a true superstar prepares for & plays a game. I hope that Crosby will have an influence on Sheahan because Detroit has nobody like him to show the youngsters how to play the game the right way.
PK, Crosby is great at welcoming new players.He reached out to Sheahan right after the trade.
Sheahan was interviewed on the news yesterday. Tonight he will be centering Carl Hagelin and Patric Hornqvist. I think it has the makings of a very good line.
I know that Sheahan hasn’t done much in the past couple of years,but, I have a good feeling about him.
Thanks for the update, Bap. Once in a while let me know how Sheahan is doing. He is an outstanding team first type of player. I hope that Sheahan & Pittsburgh makes Detroit regret this trade. Good luck to you, Brother & the Penguins!!
PK, He looked good in the Pens 2-1 overtime win over The Oilers. Great game. I tried to watch him on all of his shifts. He had a secondary assist on the Pens only regulation goal and was in front of the net screening Talbots when the goal was scored. I’ll keep you posted throughout the year.
Thanks so much, Bap! I really appreciate your time & information. Good luck to you & the Penguins.
They are far from dominant. As long as Niemi is the backup they will be a playoff team but not dominant. He gave up 9 goals in 34 min going into today’s game and promptly gave up 7 in his first complete game. 16 goals in less than 100 min played
TJ, you are definitely correct by saying that they are not dominant. But, Pittsburgh does have one of the most dominant players on the planet. It is early in the season & judging from the past, Mr. Rutherford has been known to pull off some of the most surprising trades in hockey. It wouldn’t take much though, to make Pittsburgh a dominating team again.
Finding a backup goalie, young or old usually isn’t difficult. Their GM has the pieces to acquire nearly any goalie he wants. They’re loaded with young guys. When the Penguins are clicking and playing well, no team on planet Earth can play with them. Hopefully they don’t start clicking.
Click click click