Penguins quickly flip veteran defenseman Luke Schenn to Jets for 2 draft picks

Justin Guerriero | Friday, March 7, 2025 1:02 p.m.

Nashville Predators defenseman Luke Schenn plays against the Minnesota Wild during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Less than two days after acquiring Luke Schenn from the Nashville Predators, the Pittsburgh Penguins flipped the veteran defenseman to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday afternoon a few hours before the 3 p.m. trade deadline.

In return, the Penguins received a second-round draft pick in 2026 and a fourth-rounder in 2027.

Schenn, 35, had been sent by the Predators along with forward Tommy Novak on Wednesday in exchange for winger Michael Bunting and a fourth-round pick in 2026.

In an email of trade-related responses shared with Pittsburgh-based outlets, Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Dubas had highlighted Schenn’s “experience, leadership, toughness and spirit.”

But ultimately, the end result of Schenn’s very brief tenure with the Penguins organization continues a trend by Dubas of stockpiling draft capital for the immediate future.

Earlier on Friday, Dubas traded forward Anthony Beauvillier to the Washington Capitals for a 2025 second-round draft pick.

Following the Schenn and Beauvillier moves, the Penguins now have a combined 30 selections over the next three drafts through 2027, including four first-round and six second-round picks.

Per Puckpedia, the Penguins now have $15,012,187 in salary cap space and 47 active NHL contracts on the books for 2024-25, three short of the league limit.