PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It took over a day to confirm, but the reporting was correct. Pens are sending two-time Stanley Cup winning forward Patric Hornqvist to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Mike Matheson and Colton Sceviour.
"First, this was a difficult decision to say goodbye to a terrific person and player in Patric," said Pens general manager Jim Rutherford. "He was a huge part of our success over the last six seasons, including back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
The nearly 34-year-old Hornqvist is signed for 3 more years at 5.3 million per season. In 6 years with the Pens, along with the championships, Hornqvist played in 407 games with 132 goals and 132 assists while amassing 868 hits.
Matheson is an elite skater and puck-moving defenseman who is signed for 4.875 a season until 2026. A former first round pick from Boston College, Matheson has played in 299 NHL games with 33 goals and 58 assists.
The 6’2” Matheson has been inconsistent at times with the Panthers.
Sceviour is 31 and known for blocking shots and his ability to play on the penalty kill. The 6-foot, 190 pounder has played in 454 career NHL games.
“Mike is a young, skilled defenseman with great offensive instincts who plays with speed and has a good shot, while Colton is a solid veteran player who has a lot of experience on the penalty kill,” Rutherford said in a statement.
Last month the Pens traded for winger Kasperi Kapanen. They have also signed contract extensions with forward Jared McCann and defensemen Chad Ruhwedel and Juuso Riikola.