Penguins and Stars Swap Defensemen

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars swapped veteran defensemen on Sunday, with the Penguins sending Darryl Sydor to the Stars in exchange for Philippe Boucher. Both players will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season and both have relatively equal salaries at $2.5 million each. This marks Sydor's third stint with the Stars. Sydor had become expendable to the Penguins and saw very little ice time with them this season, while Boucher lack of production so far this season led to rumors of him being shopped. So far this season, Sydor has played in eight games, scoring one goal and one assist. Boucher has played in 16 games so far this season, scoring no goals and accumulating only three assists. Sydor will be a decent addition to the Stars' blueline. He will provide plenty of veteran and defensive depth for the team, and could possibly see more ice time, as he has played for the Stars twice already in his career. Boucher gives the Penguins a much needed puck-moving defenseman on their blueline with the injuries to Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney. Boucher will also give the Penguins some much needed offense on defense.