The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/] have acquired forward Philip Tomasino from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick, it was announced Monday. In a corresponding move, the Penguins optioned forward Sam Poulin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/i-kind-of-needed-that-setback-former-first-round-pick-hopes-to-capitalize-on-latest-opportunity] - who had one assist in six games this season - to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate. Rookie goaltender Joel Blomqvist, optioned to the AHL on Thursday, has established himself as Pittsburgh's best goaltender. How can they open an opportunity for him? In 11 games with Nashville this season, the 23-year-old Tomasino - Nashville's first-round pick (24th overall) in 2019 - has just one point. He has been a healthy scratch for much of the season as the struggling Predators have looked to turn their season around in the earlygoing. However, he has shown some offensive upside in years past, registering 23 goals and 71 points over 159 games with Nashville. He is good on the forecheck and along the walls, and he was, likely, in need of a change of scenery. This also goes right along with Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas's tendency to grab former first-round picks - and younger ones, at that - and try to get some upside out of them by giving them a fresh look in Pittsburgh. Other examples include Jesse Puljujarvi and Cody Glass - a former (and now, current) teammate of Tomasino's in Nashville. Tomasino - who signed a one-year deal worth $825,000 with Nashville this summer [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-sign-philip-tomasino-to-one-year-deal-as-training-camp-opens] - will be a restriced free agent after the 2024-25 season.
