Done Deal: Penguins and Jets Make a Trade

The Pittsburgh Penguins have added ahead of the trade deadline as they swung a deal with the Winnipeg Jets early Monday morning, acquiring defenseman Nathan Beaulieu in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

Nate Beaulieu traded from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh for a conditional 7th.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2022

A move solely based on adding a little bit of depth to the group, the Penguins see Beaulieu as someone they can plug and play into their lineup. The 29-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent who makes $1.25 million against the cap. He's recorded four points in 24 games this season and is only averaging 10:47 of ice-time a night, falling out of favor for Jets youngster Logan Stanley.

Nathan Beaulieu fought Brian Boyle when the Jets were in Pittsburgh in January, answering for a hit on Brock McGinn. pic.twitter.com/MwTUmPjqEo
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) March 21, 2022

The Penguins continue to work the phones as they are trying to move the likes of Kasperi Kapanen and Marcus Pettersson out of door to not only make further additions, but also create some salary cap space moving forward. The team has a number of key free agents without extensions and could have some serious work to do this offseason trying to sign the likes of Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and Evan Rodrigues.

Look for the Jets to continue to wheel and deal as forward Andrew Copp is also expected to be dealt before Monday afternoon's deadline. Teams have called and offered second-round picks, meanwhile Jets management is holding out until someone steps up with a first-rounder. Don't expect to see the Jets and Penguins doing anymore business before the ball drops.