Blues trade Ian Cole to Penguins for Bortuzzo, draft pick
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenseman Ian Cole from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenseman Robert Bortuzzo and a seventh-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
The 26-year-old Cole has four goals and five assists in 54 games for the Blues this season. Cole's plus-16 plus/minus ratio ranked third on the team at the time of the trade. The Penguins have been looking to add a skilled defenseman as they gear up for another postseason run.
Bortuzzo has two goals and four assists in 38 games with Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-4 Bortuzzo is a physical presence along the blue line. His 68 penalty minutes ranked second on the Penguins.
The trade is the second in less than a week for Pittsburgh. The Penguins picked up forward Daniel Winnik from Toronto last Wednesday.