The Pittsburgh Penguins’ blue line got a player unlike many of their defensemen on the roster Thursday afternoon by acquiring Danny Richmond from the Chicago Blackhawks (Penguins.com).

In return, Chicago got Tim Brent from the Penguins.

What the Penguins are losing is a top prospect from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 2007-2008 Brent was the leading scorer in the regular season totaling 61 points (18 G – 43 A) in 74 games. He was also the second leading scorer in the Calder Cup Playoffs in which the Baby Penguins reach the finals.

The move is absolutely an unexpected one, given the season Brent had in the American Hockey League. He is a 24-year-old center with a ton of potential.

However, the Penguins got something in return that they don’t have much of. That is a tough, defensive-minded defenseman.

Richmond

Danny Richmond (D) – 6′, 194 pounds:

2007-2008: 7 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 Pts. – 2 PIM With the Chicago Blackhawks
2007-2008: 40 GP – 2 G – 12 A – 14 Pts. – 156 PIM With Rockford Icehogs (AHL)

His staggering numbers rest in the penalty minute category, where Richmond is averaging nearly four minutes in the box per game. In Richmond’s AHL career thus far, he has played in 223 games and racked up 541 penalty minutes.

Richmond’s National Hockey League career spans 49 games, which he has tallied three assists and sat in the ’sin bin’ for 75 additinal minutes.

I’ve never seen or heard of Richmond before, but he seems to be a nice addition. However, I’m not sure if Brent was worth giving up. Center is a position that could end up being rather weak as the season progresses, especially is Jordan Staal is moved to the left wing, and he probably would have come in handy.

One thing I do know though, and it is evident by his numbers, that he loves to fight. However, literally every NHL fight I could find of him was a loss for Richmond.

Nevertheless, Richmond should be a nice addition to the defensive corps in Wilkes-Barre, and at 23-years-old he has a lot of time to improve.