Trade: Hurricanes Send Hainsey to Penguins for Kristo, 2nd

A deal has been struck between former Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford, now with Pittsburgh, and his successor in Ron Francis.

On Thursday morning, the Hurricanes dealt defenseman Ron Hainsey to the Penguins in exchange for 26 year old forward Danny Kristo and a 2nd round pick in the upcoming 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

The second rounder will be Carolina’s third for this draft, as they also have their own selection and the one they acquired from the New York Rangers as part of the deal for Eric Staal at last year’s trade deadline.

Hainsey has been a key cog in the Hurricanes’ defensive unit since he arrived in Raleigh prior to the 2013-2014 season. The 35-year-old defender has played 891 NHL games without appearing in a playoff contest, which he will almost assuredly have the opportunity to do as a member of the Penguins.

Below is the press release from the Hurricanes with further details:

‘CANES DEAL HAINSEY TO PENGUINS FOR PICK, KRISTO

Carolina receives second-round selection and forward

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired a second-round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft and forward Danny Kristo from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Ron Hainsey.

Kristo, 26, has totaled 13 points (6g, 7a) and 12 penalty minutes in 40 games with the Chicago Wolves and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. The Edina, MN, native was originally selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round, 56^th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and has earned 153 points (78g, 75a) in 267 career AHL games with Hamilton, Hartford, Chicago and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Prior to turning professional, Kristo spent four seasons at the University of North Dakota, where he was a 2012-13 AHCA West First-Team All-American. He has represented the United States in a number of international tournaments including the 2008 U-18 World Junior Championship, the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships and the 2013 IIHF World Championship.

Hainsey, 35, played 300 games in a Hurricanes uniform, ranking 10^th among defensemen since the team’s arrival in North Carolina. The Bolton, CT, native is in his 14^th NHL season and has totaled 250 points (49g, 201a) in 891 career NHL games.

The Hurricanes continue their five-game home stand on Friday, when they host the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena (7:30 p.m., FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports GO, Hurricanes Radio Network). For information about Hurricanes ticket packages, please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com/tickets, or call1-866-NHL-CANES (1-866-645-2263).

We don’t anticipate this being the last of the moves that we’ll see from the ‘Canes in advance of the rapidly approaching trade deadline, so stay tuned right here at Canes Country as we’ll have coverage of any additional moves that may transpire.