The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded defenseman Ben Lovejoy to the Anaheim Ducks, in exchange for a 2014 fifth round pick, the team announced.

The emergence of Robert Bortuzzo sealed Lovejoy’s fate who has appeared in just three games this season. Lovejoy signed as a free agent in July 2008 and appeared in 98 NHL games with the Penguins. Lovejoy emerged as the Penguins No. 5 defenseman during the 2010-2011 season but has fallen down the depth chart ever since.
When Matt Niskanen gets healthy this month, the Penguins have wanted to get to 14 forwards and 7 defensemen and this gets them to it.
Updated: 10:12 p.m. Reese Called up
The beneficiary of the Penguins trading Ben Lovejoy and losing Brian Strait to waivers has been Dylan Reese who has moved up to 8th on the depth chart.
Reese has been called up to give the Penguins a seventh healthy defenseman and he is expected to take part in tomorrow’s morning skate.
The 28 year old has spent the entire season with Wilkes Barre, ranking first among WBS defensemen in scoring with 15 points in 39 AHL games.

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