PENGUINS TRADE WHITNEY, OBTAIN DUCKS’ KUNITZ
PITTSBURGH — The Penguins traded defenseman Ryan Whitney to the Ducks for forward Chris Kunitz and a junior prospect Thursday, less than two seasons into a six-year, $24 million contract that was supposed to make Whitney a key part of Pittsburgh’s future.
“It’s a new start and a team that I feel wants me,” Whitney said. “They gave up a good player and a real good prospect.”
Whitney, who is 6-feet-4 and 215 pounds, has struggled since missing the first 33 games of this season following foot surgery. He has two goals and 11 assists and is a minus-15 in 28 games.
“I know that I can play better than I have this year and I think I will,” Whitney said. “It’s about me getting some confidence back and having a new start.”
Kunitz is a 29-year-old left wing who has 16 goals and 19 assists for the Ducks. He is a plus-9 in 62 games.
The junior prospect, 20-year-old Eric Tangradi, is a Philadelphia-born forward. He has 38 goals and 49 assists in 52 games with the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League. He is not expected to make an immediate impact.
Stars acquire Begin for Janik
DALLAS — The Stars acquired center Steve Begin from the Canadiens for defenseman Doug Janik.
The deal gives Dallas depth after forward Brad Richards broke his right wrist. Richards could be out two months.
Begin, 30, has six goals and four assists in 42 games with the Canadiens. He has 84 points and 467 penalty minutes in 389 games.
“He’s good on the penalty kill and he is a competitor in every sense of the word,” Stars co-general manager Les Jackson said.
Janik played sparingly for Dallas this season, getting one assist in 13 games.
Flyers get set for Briere’s return
PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers waived center Glen Metropolit and defenseman Ossi Vaananen to clear salary-cap space for Danny Briere’s impending return.
Briere was expected to return to the Flyers for tonight’s game against Montreal. He has missed the last 35 games and played in only nine games this season because of surgery on his abdomen and groin.
The Flyers needed to dump about $2.5 million in cap space to fit Briere on the roster and will probably need to make at least one more move.
The Associated Press
