Penguins add Chris Wideman from Florida to beef up depth on blue line

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Penguins add Chris Wideman from Florida to beef up depth on blue line

Jonathan Bombulie | Monday, February 25, 2019 6:51 p.m.

Florida Panthers defenseman Chris Wideman passes the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

While the acquisition of 6-foot-5 Erik Gudbranson at Monday’s NHL trade deadline was about adding size and strength to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ blue line, a trade for Chris Wideman was meant to provide depth.

The Penguins acquired Wideman from the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Jean-Sebastien Dea.

Wideman, 29, is a 5-foot-10, right-handed, puck-moving defenseman who was a regular for the Ottawa Senators from 2015-17. He tore his hamstring when Evgeni Malkin fell on him during a November game last season.

He has been a journeyman this season, playing 25 NHL games with Ottawa, Edmonton and Florida. Before the trade, he was playing with Springfield of the AHL, recording 13 points in 16 games.

He was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday.

“He gives us depth on defense,” general manager Jim Rutherford said. “He’s a smaller guy, a puck-moving guy. He’s played some games in the league. He’s got some experience. He could see some time here at some point.”

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