The Pittsburgh Penguins made another trade Tuesday, swapping defensemen with the Vegas Golden Knights just before NHL free agency kicks off. It’s a smaller move, but it tells you something about how this team is thinking right now.
Pittsburgh sent Parker Wotherspoon to Vegas and brought back Kaedan Korczak, per TSN. The Penguins are also retaining 50 percent of Wotherspoon’s contract to make the deal work.
This wasn’t exactly a shock to people who follow the league closely. Frank Seravalli reported on X that Korczak had been discussed as a potential buyout candidate, so getting him off the books entirely was the preferred route for Vegas. Korczak is about to start a four-year deal worth $3.25 million per season.
What the Penguins Are Getting in Korczak
Korczak has 155 NHL games under his belt, with four goals, 33 assists and a plus-31 rating. He’s also played in 14 playoff games and picked up three assists there. He spent parts of his first four seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL, where he put up 39 points in 134 games.
He’s not a flashy name, but he’s got experience on a blue line that could use some stability. The Penguins are trying to build a roster that can make another playoff run, and Korczak fits that as a depth piece who’s already played meaningful minutes.
Wotherspoon’s Time in Pittsburgh
Wotherspoon had a solid season with the Penguins. The Athletic called this a fairly surprising trade, noting that Wotherspoon set career highs in goals (three) and points (30) last year. He made a name for himself in Pittsburgh, so seeing him go might catch some fans off guard.
But the Penguins are clearly looking to shake things up. This isn’t the only move they’re trying to make. Reports have them chasing bigger names, including Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson. And they already locked up Evgeni Malkin to a contract extension before the 2026-27 season. That alone tells you they’re not planning a rebuild.
Pittsburgh finished last season with 98 points and lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the playoffs, getting bounced in six games. Vegas, meanwhile, lost to Carolina in the Stanley Cup Final. Both teams have reasons to make adjustments, and this trade is a small piece of that for each side.
If you’re a Penguins fan, don’t expect this to be the last move of the week. They’re hunting for more, and free agency hasn’t even really started yet.
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