PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Alex Kovalev in exchange for a conditional draft pick with the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
The trade was announced shortly after coach Dan Bylsma revealed defenseman Brooks Orpik will miss between four and six weeks with a broken finger on his right hand. Orpik was hurt when he was struck by Patrick Marleau‘s shot in the first period of Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.
The trade was completed on the day of Kovalev’s 38th birthday. He’s expected to join the Penguins in time for their game tonight at Carolina. Kovalev had 14 goals and 13 assists in 54 games.
• The Anaheim Ducks sent former Colorado College star Curtis McElhinney to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Dan Ellis in an exchange of goaltenders.
• The Atlanta Thrashers signed general manager Rick Dudley to a four-year contract extension.
Wright could return for Hoyas
WASHINGTON — Georgetown guard Chris Wright had surgery to repair the third metacarpal in his nonshooting hand, which he broke in the second half of the Hoyas’ loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Georgetown expects Wright, who is averaging 13.1 points and 5.4 assists and leads the team with 41 steals, to return in time for the Hoyas’ first NCAA Tournament game in mid-March.
• Texas coach Rick Barnes said forward Alexis Wangmene‘s suspension will end after Saturday’s game against Colorado.
Wangmene was arrested on a drunken driving charge early Sunday morning and did not play in No. 5 Texas’ win over Iowa State on Wednesday night.
• Pittsburgh freshman forward Talib Zanna will miss between three and six weeks after breaking his right thumb.
• Oklahoma State point guard Ray Penn was suspended indefinitely for failing to follow undisclosed team policy.
• Mississippi State guard Jalen Steele will miss the rest of the season after injuring his left knee in the Bulldogs’ 84-82 loss to LSU on Wednesday.
Buckeyes recruit finally signs
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Chris Carter, an offensive lineman who was arrested the night before national signing day, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Ohio State.
Carter was arrested Feb. 1, and officials later said he would not face criminal charges stemming from an allegation that he fondled a girl while pretending to measure her for an ROTC uniform.
Footnotes.
Antron Brown raced to the qualifying lead in top fuel at the NHRA Winternationals, while Johnny Gray (funny car) and Erica Enders (pro stock) led their respective qualifiers in Pomona, Calif.
• Former IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan lost his ride because of sponsorship issues, which will likely park the popular Brazilian for most races this season.
• Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett, the 2010 U.S. pairs champions, announced the end of their three-year partnership. Barrett, 26, is retiring, and Denney plans to continue skating.
