Analysis: Pens clearing cap space with Michalek move, add intriguing prospect

Trade talks were brewing all night between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes and the two sides struck a deal minutes after the draft ended.

Pittsburgh sent defenseman Zbynek Michalek to Phoenix in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 entry draft, defensemen Harrison Ruopp and goaltender Marc Cheverie.

Ruopp, a tough defenseman at 6-2, 200lbs was the Coyotes third round pick last year is a player the Penguins have had on their radar. "We almost took him last year in the second round, " Shero said. "He's big, plays aggressively, " Shero said, pointing out the Penguins lack those type of defensemen. Harrison plays a hard nose physical style.