The Penguins made a move Friday to add defensive depth, acquiring Harvard defenseman John Marino from the Oilers for a conditional sixth-round draft choice in 2021.
The Penguins will surrender that pick if they sign Marino or trade his rights. They retain his rights until Aug. 15, 2020.
Marino, 22, was Edmonton's sixth-round selection in 2015, but never signed with the Oilers. He was the 154th player selected in his draft year.
"John is a mobile defenseman who excels at moving the puck, while also playing with an edge to his game," Jim Rutherford said. "We are excited to acquire him as we continue to add defensive depth to the organization. The next step is to work on getting a contract done with him."
Marino, a 6 foot 1, 181 pound, right-handed shot, had three goals and eight assists in 30 games with Harvard in 2018-19, raising his three-year totals there to seven goals and 35 assists in 101 games.
He recorded two assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-4 in the Beanpot Tournament consolation game against Boston University on Feb. 11.
Harvard coach Ted Donato noted Marino's competitive nature in a story that appeared in the Harvard Crimson before last season.
"As a coach, it's nice when you have guys that are level-headed and always focused and ready and determined, but not wearing their emotions on their sleeves," Donato said. "His calm demeanor on the outside disguises the fact that he's super-competitive on the ice."
Marino, who hails from North Easton, Mass., has already been named one of Harvard's three captains for next season.
Before attending Harvard, Marino spent one season with Tri-City of the USHL, putting up five goals and 25 assists in 56 regular-season games and two assists in 11 playoff games, as the Storm won the league championship.
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