GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Indeed, Jim Rutherford has dealt away one of his bottom-six centers.
Just not the one everyone thought.
In the wee hours of Thursday morning, Pittsburgh time, the Penguins traded Derek Grant to the Ducks, his former team, in a straight-up exchange for another forward, Joseph Blandisi.
It was the second time in the past 44 days that Rutherford was a trade partner with Anaheim counterpart Bob Murray. On Dec. 3, the Penguins sent Daniel Sprong to Anaheim in exchange for Marcus Pettersson.
Obviously, that deal has worked out quite well for Rutherford, but it remains to be seen exactly where Blandisi will fit with the Penguins. We will begin to know as soon as Thursday afternoon. Blandisi is expected to skate with his new team during their practice at Gila River Arena, where the Penguins will face the Coyotes on Friday night.
Blandisi, 24, appeared in three games with the Ducks in October, going pointless while throwing four hits with one shot on goal and averaging 10:39 per game. In 74 career NHL games with the Ducks and the Devils, he has eight goals, 18 assists and 68 penalty minutes.
Here, Blandisi is shown scoring an impressive between-the-legs goal on a power play against the Flyers on March 6, 2017:
A left-handed shot, Blandisi has played both center and left wing this season while also seeing time on the penalty kill. Though he's a modest 5-foot-11 and 187-pounds, Blandisi plays with a bit of an edge. He has eight pro fights over the last three seasons.
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