Elvis arrives in Pittsburgh
2021-10-26(AP) PITTSBURGH Penguins team owner/general manager Gary Brown doesn't make many trades but when he does, it's a big one.
Brown traded center Sean Couturier, recently acquired for Ryan O'Reilly, to Toronto in return for the Latvian-born goalie Elvis Merzlikins. Also going to Toronto was renegade Swedish goalie Marcus Hogberg while the Penguins picked up rugged winger Matt Martin and a 2022 third round pick belonging to Minnesota.
"We have Brian Elliott in goal and together with Devan Dubnyk there were thoughts that both 36 year-old goalies would serve as adequate backstops for the 2021-2022 season. Dubnyk was injured in training camp, necessitating the search for a starting goalie with Elliott serving as a backup.
The Penguins are committing the team to Elvis as our permanent, long-term solution between the pipes. This guy is the real deal. We hated to part with Coots (Couturier), but with the emergence of Chandler Stephenson at center along with Kevin Hayes, and our top prospect Anton Lundell ready to play next season, we couldn't pass up the trade offer. I pulled the trigger and have absolutely no regrets doing so," Brown told reporters assembled outside his office, adding, "In Pittsburgh, it is lead, follow, or get off the road."