In what feels like a moment ago and a lifetime ago at the very same time, one year ago today the Penguins made what looked like a minor trade when they acquired the rights to John Marino.
In exchange, all they had to send the Edmonton Oilers was a conditional sixth round pick. If Marino elected to go back to Harvard for his senior season and then signed with a different NHL team, Pittsburgh wouldn’t have to give Edmonton anything at all.
So, with that in mind, it really shows how far Marino has come in the last 12 months, going from a footnote trade and stepping into the scene as an instant, ready-made top four NHL defenseman.