Penguins add veteran forward Jussi Jokinen
Finn gives Pittsburgh insurance in Crosby's absence
Coach Dan Bylsma has some added offensive insurance while Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby recovers from a broken jaw.
General manager Ray Shero picked up a third impact forward in 10 days Wednesday, trading for Carolina centre/winger Jussi Jokinen before the 3 p.m. ET deadline.
The Hurricanes receive a conditional 2013 sixth- or seventh-round draft pick and retain a portion of Jokinen's salary, which pays him $3 million US per season and expires after 2013-14.
"This deal is important for our team's financial flexibility moving forward," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement released by the team.
Jokinen is a noted shootout specialist and fan favorite whose scoring has fallen off during this shortened season.
'Canes sign young scorer
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford had time to deal forward Jussi Jokinen and finalize a three-year, entry-level contract with left-winger Brock McGinn.
McGinn, who scored 28 goals and 54 points in 68 games this season with Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League, will immediately join the Hurricanes' American Hockey League affiliate in Charlotte, N.C.
At the NHL level, the 19-year-old will make $700,000 US next season, $750,000 in 2014-15 and $800,000 in 2015-16. McGinn also received a $277,500 signing bonus.
In the AHL, McGinn would be paid $70,000 in each year of the contract.
Drafted 47th last summer, he has 50 goals and 87 points in 169 OHL games with the Storm.
McGinn is the younger brother of Colorado Avalanche forward Jamie McGinn and Philadelphia Flyers forward Tye McGinn.
— Doug Harrison, CBCSports.ca
Crosby, who leads the NHL in scoring this season with 56 points in 36 games, will miss the balance of the regular season and perhaps some playoff contests.
Jokinen, who has six goals and 11 points in 33 games this season with the Hurricanes, cleared waivers last week
Playoff tested
The 30-year-old Finn scored 30 goals for Carolina in the 2009-10 season and 19 the following campaign, so he could contribute offensively in Crosby’s absence.
Jokinen also has playoff experience, having played 27 games with Dallas and the Hurricanes.
Shero has been busy of late, acquiring forward Brenden Morrow from the Stars on March 24 and four days later adding Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla along with defenceman Douglas Murray.
Wednesday's trade was the second between the clubs in less than a year. Pittsburgh traded centre Jordan Staal to the Hurricanes during the draft last June in exchange for Brandon Sutter, a prospect and a draft pick.
Lately, though, the teams have been trending in opposite directions.
The Penguins have 56 points — five more than second-place Montreal — and had a 15-game winning streak end Tuesday night in a loss to Buffalo.
Carolina, meanwhile, has fallen from the Southeast Division lead after losing nine of 10 during an injury plagued slump in which its top two goalies and two key defensemen have been hurt. Most recently, the team announced Wednesday that defenseman Joni Pitkanen will miss the rest of the season with a broken left heel.
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With files from The Associated Press