PITTSBURGH -- Penguins Coach Eddie Johnston says his team is a lot stronger today, thanks to the team's victory in an arbitration case over compensation for former goaltender Greg Millen, who signed as a free agent with the Hartford Whalers.
In Toronto Monday, Judge Joseph Kane, appointed arbiter by the National Hockey League, ruled in favor of the Penguins' request that they receive forwards Pat Boutette and Kevin McClelland as compensation for Millen.
Boutette was the Whalers' second-leading scorer last year, and McClelland is a highly regarded junior player.
'Suddenly, we're operating from more of a position of strength,' Johnston said in a published report. 'We have some surplus at both wings and some on defense, and I think it's fair to say that we're going to try to package some of that surplus to get another veteran goalie or one more tough left winger.
'We could go into the season the way we are now and know that we'd be a much improved team.'
According to the Penguins, Hartford had offered goaltender John Garrett and left wing Jordy Douglas as compensation.
As arbiter, Kane was permitted only to choose one offer or the other with no compromise possible.
'The key was making a sensible proposal,' Johnston said. 'We talked to an awful lot of people before putting our package together and almost everybody we talked to thought we were sure to win. And we did.'
Larry Pleau, Whalers coach and director of hockey operations, declined to confirm or deny the Penguins' statement on the proposals submitted by the two clubs.
Millen, 23, became a free agent after his last season. Published reports indicated that Millen received a $75,000 bonus and a salary of $160,000 per year to sign with Hartford.
Boutette, 29, a left wing, played two seasons with the Whalers. He appeared in 80 games last season, scoring 28 goals and picking up 52 assists.
McClelland, a right wing who was a fourth-round draft pick in 1980, played for Niagara Falls of the Ontario Junior Hockey League last season. In 67 games, he had 14 goals and 14 assists.
Millen, who excelled for Pittsburgh in its Stanley Cup playoff series with the St. Louis Blues this year, posted a 4.16 goals-against average in 63 games last season.
'This is not a matter of having won or lost,' said Howard Baldwin, the Whalers' managing general partner. 'In obtaining Greg Millen we now have a talented young goaltender who will be a great asset to us as we strive to build a championship team.'
Baldwin praised Pleau and his assistant, Bob Crocker for 'a gutsy move in obtaining Millen. You do not go from 18th place to a contender by standing pat.'
