Canucks take flier on Derrick Pouliot in trade with Penguins

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With NHL teams working to trim down theirrosters to open the season, the Penguins cut bait on defenseman Derrick Pouliot, their 2012 first-round draft choice who appeared to bean odd man out on the blueline. The Canucks were happy to take a flier.  Pouliot was tradedto Vancouver Tuesday in exchange for a 2018 fourth-round draft pick and defensemanAndrey Pedan, several hours beforefinal rosters were due at 5 p.m. ET. The 23-year-old is expected to be in the Canucks'lineup when they open the season Wednesday against the Sharks.  PREVIEW:  To make room,Patrick Wiercioch . Andrew Walters Jersey   Pouliot, a left-hand shot, was selected eighth overall in 2012 with thepick the Penguins acquired as part of their Jordan Staal trade withCarolina. Heappeared in 67 games with Pittsburgh over the last three seasons, but struggled to stay in the lineup. He spent the majority of the 2016-17 season with their AHL affiliate in Scranton Wilkes-Barre and wasn't considered an option for prominent minutes this year, even though the Penguins are thin on defense.  Pouliothas a history with first-year Canucks coach Travis Green from his major-junior days withthe Portland Winterhawks.  Pedan, placed on waivers by the Canucks earlier this week, has just 13 games worth of NHL experience.  From the Penguins' perspective, the trade wase sentially an attempt to recoup a draft pick for a declining a set. They again have seven in 2018 one in each round after trading their original fourth-rounder for Mark Streit before last season's deadline.  The Canucks are interested in Pouliot's upside, which he may yet realize in a change of scenery.  Graig Nettles Jersey