Penguins trade Carl Hagelin to Kings for Tanner Pearson

Jerry DiPaola
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 12:45 p.m. | Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 12:45 p.m.

Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson, right, takes the puck over the blue line with Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu, left, of Finland, trailing during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 13: Carl Hagelin #62 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes the puck in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on November 13, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford took his second contract extension with the club and immediately went to work Wednesday, trading left wing Carl Hagelin, who was part of the renowned HBK line during recent Stanley Cup title runs, to the Los Angeles Kings for left wing Tanner Pearson.

Pearson, 26, is four years younger than Hagelin and is signed through 2020-2021 with a contract that carries an average annual value of $3.75 million. Hagelin can be a free agent after this season.

Pearson has 69 goals, including 17 game-winning goals, and 144 points in 325 career games over six seasons with the Kings.

He set career highs in goals (24) and points (44) during the 2016-17 season and has reached the 40-point plateau each of the past two seasons.

He was big part of the Kings’ second Stanley Cup championship in 2014, scoring 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 24 playoff games. Pearson has contributed five goals and 15 points in 34 career playoff games.

A first-round draft pick of the Kings in 2012, he has only one point – an assist – in 17 games this season. Hagelin has one goal and two assists in 16 games for the Penguins.

Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.

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