The New Jersey Devils acquired defenseman John Marino from the Pittsburgh Penguins for fellow guard Ty Smith on Saturday.
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In addition to Smith, who will become a restricted free agent at the end of next season, the Pens have won a third-round draft selection in 2023.
The 22-year-old Albertan was the Devils’ first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2018 auction. He played two full seasons in the National Hockey League, recording 23 points in 48 games in his rookie year . He continued in 2021-22 with 20 points in 66 games, but posted a -26 rating, the worst of any New Jersey player.
Marino, 25, completed three campaigns at Harvard University before joining the Penguins in 2019-20, refusing to report to the Edmonton Oilers, who selected him in the sixth round in 2016.
In three seasons in Pittsburgh, the American amassed 64 points in 189 duels. In January 2021, he signed a six-year deal at an average annual salary of $4.4 million.
“John is a competitive and mobile defender who will strengthen our defensive brigade. He takes pride in playing well off the puck and his game management and transition skills lend themselves well to our style and will benefit our forward group,” general manager Tom Fitzgerald said in a written statement.
