Breaking: Pens make major trade to get team out of funk!

On Wednesday morning, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they had signed general manager Jim Rutherford to a three-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season on Wednesday. The deal extends Rutherford's existing contract, which was scheduled to run through the current season.

And how did Rutherford celebrate the whole thing? By making a major trade in Pittsburgh...

During his media conference, Rutherford did not waste time hinting at the move.

"I still believe we have a window [to win] here. We are probably going to start making changes here in the next hour. Hopefully we get it on track."

"I think we're in a funk now. We're struggling, but for the most part, I still believe in this team."

GM Jim Rutherford: "I still believe we have a window [to win] here. We are probably going to start making changes here in the next hour. Hopefully we get it on track."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 14, 2018

GM Jim Rutherford: "I think we're in a funk now. We're struggling, but for the most part, I still believe in this team."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 14, 2018

According to many reporters on site, Rutherford made these comments while waiting for the NHL's approval on a trade as the Pens GM revealed that he had made a trade, but could not announce it yet.

Trade call hasn’t happened yet. The sense is this one could be quite complicated purely from a financial/salary cap point of view and so, perhaps more than usual, this is by no means a done deal until it’s done with the trade call.
Stay tuned. https://t.co/cEnPqYZXgb
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 14, 2018

According to NHL Insider Darren Dreger, Los Angeles Kings left winger Tanner Pearson would be on his way to Pittsburgh.

Sources say Tanner Pearson is going to the Penguins.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 14, 2018

Tanner Pearson is getting the boot in LA, after being traded to the Penguins. This blockbuster coming off the heels of a 5-1 blowout loss to the Maple Leafs. God the Kings suck.
— Darren Dreger (@DregerDarrenTSN) November 14, 2018

However, according to Jason Mackay of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the young forward Daniel Sprong, who many believe would be on his way out of Pittsburgh is not believed to be part of the return going back to Los Angeles in this trade...

Daniel Sprong not a part of the Pearson deal, from what I understand.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) November 14, 2018

According to Kings insider Dennis Bernstein, the return from the Penguins would be forward Carl Hagelin.

Hearing Carl Hagelin return for Pearson. We'll see.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) November 14, 2018

UPDATE: It was confirmed by McKenzie: the Penguins and the Kings have made a player for player trade as Tanner Pearson heads to Pittsburgh in return for Carl Hagelin.

Hagelin for Pearson. One for one. Done deal.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 14, 2018

The extensions sure motivated Rutherford to make important changes on his roster, as the Penguins have been struggling since the start of the season. The Kings will also benefit from the move as the coaching change has yet to really push the team to get better. Sure, they have been struggling with injuries, however, they need more speed up front and Hagelin will be able to provide a scoring boost in Los Angeles.

"This could be the start of more changes. We'll see how it goes. The way things have gone, it's obvious that we had make a change. I feel bad - Hagelin is a popular guy. I like him a lot personally. He was part of winning a Cup... but changes are necessary," said Rutherford following the trade.

Pearson has two years left after this season at a $3.75M cap hit, while Hagelin in final year of his at $4M cap hit. According to insider Pierre LeBrun, the Penguins retain $250k salary on Hagelin to even out the money on Pearson.