Penguins Reshape Roster: Pettersson and O'Connor Traded to Vancouver

The Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting at 22-24-8, finally returned to the win column, securing their first victory since acquiring Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernström, and a conditional 2025 first-round pick in a recent trade. The draft pick, originally set for 2025, will be deferred to 2026 if the New York Rangers finish within the top 13 of the NHL Draft Lottery.

Among the new acquisitions, Danton Heinen’s return to Pittsburgh stands out as a full-circle moment. The forward, who originally began his career with the Boston Bruins, spent two seasons with the Penguins before departing in September 2023 to rejoin Boston. Now, back in Pittsburgh, Heinen finds himself in a familiar system, hoping to provide a spark to a struggling Penguins team that has found itself outside the playoff picture.

Defenseman Vincent Desharnais, a towering presence on the blue line at 6'7" and 226 lbs, brings much-needed size and physicality to the Penguins. Originally selected 183rd overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, Desharnais did not make his professional debut until the 2022 season, recording zero goals and five assists in just 12 games played. He followed that up in 2023 with a 78 game campaign, tallying one goal and 10 assists.

Meanwhile, Melvin Fernström, a promising young prospect, offers long-term potential for an organization seeking stability in the years ahead.

For the Penguins, the victory following the trade is more than just another two-point performance—it is a sign of hope. With new faces in the lineup and a renewed sense of urgency, Pittsburgh looks to build momentum and climb back into playoff contention as they begin a stretch of seven divisional matchups over the next few weeks, starting with the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday evening.

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