2012 NHL Draft Grades: Penguins Earn High Marks Trading Up for Derrick Pouliot

The Pittsburgh Penguins earned an A+ when they made the first major move of the 2012 NHL draft by trading Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for the No. 8 overall pick and two other players. With that pick, they drafted Derrick Pouliot.

John Buccigross has the details:

"

Wow, Jordan Staal to Carolina for 8th pick, Brandon Suter, and BC's Brian Dumoulin #cawlidgehawkey

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) June 23, 2012"

This is a major coup. Staal was already on his way out after turning down a massive extension offer by the Penguins, according to Will DePaoli:

"

#Penguins I'm told offered Staal a 10 year - $58 million deal & are willing to go even higher but Staal's camp has no plans to negotiate now

— Will DePaoli (@TIOPS_DePaoli) June 21, 2012"

This move shifts the balance of power in the Eastern Conference squarely to the Penguins. They are set up for years to come now with Pouliot as a major scoring threat on defense. They will become an offensive juggernaut while still maintaining a stifling defense. 

In short, the Penguins are going to be scary-good.

One NHL executive thought Pouliot might be the best scoring defenseman in the draft, according to TheHockeyNews.com:

"

He really doesn’t get as much publicity as he should, playing out in Portland. Such a good skater. He has mobility and the ability to jump into the attack and he can play both sides of the puck. He might be the best of the group.

"

The Penguins hit a grand slam with this pick, and they are set for years to come as the favorites to win the East.

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