Penguins trade Alex Grant for Harry Zolnierczyk + Qualifying Offers

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a trade with the Anaheim Ducks the other day before the NHL draft begins. Heading to the Ducks is defenseman Alex Grant in exchange for Harry Zolnierczyk. Zolnierczyk is a tough player who will be familiar to Penguins fans as he spent two season at the Flyers where he played 44 games and notched up 71 penalty minutes. Zolnierczyk stated that he is excited about the move and is looking forward to playing for Pittsburgh and becoming an agitator for the team. Zolnierczyk is a restricted free agent but is expect to sign within the coming week or so. Alex Grant himself was drafted by the Penguins back in 2004 but has yet to play for the Penguins and has spent most of his career in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins where he's played 125 games scoring 62 points. He has emerged in the last two years as a reliable power-play player with a hard shot but due to the Penguins deep prospect pool there isn't a spot for him on the Penguins in the future. 

In other news the Penguins are going to send qualifying offers to their four restricted free agents (Dustin Jeffrey, Tyler Kennedy, Roberto Bortuzzo and now Harry Zolnierczyk). This should come as now surprise really. Zolniercyzk will likely be used as a 13th forward or in the AHL whilst Bortuzzo and Kennedy are regular players. Dustin Jeffrey is on the outside looking in but with the cap falling and the Penguins needing to find cap space he could be a worth cheaper replacement for Tanner Glass or Jussi Jokinen. Personally, I hope that this is Shero just covering his assets because I don't see a need for Tyler Kennedy on the Penguins. We have other players that can fill the role and at $2m there are cheaper options available on the market. I'm hoping that this is only so that we can get something for him in a trade deal.