PITTSBURGH, March 15 -- Showing they have not given up on making the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday acquired veteran defenseman Jamie Pushor and right wing Shean Donovan in separate deals.
Pittsburgh, which is 12th in the East, got Pushor from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 2003 fourth-round pick and claimed Donovan off waivers from the Atlanta Thrashers.
Pushor will give the Penguins a veteran presence on the blue line. The 29-year-old has played in 412 NHL games, recording 10 goals, 41 assists and 540 penalty minutes for four teams.
In 61 games with Columbus this season, Pushor had six assists, 54 penalty minutes and a minus-10 rating. He played two seasons with the Jackets after stints with Dallas, Anaheim and Detroit.
Donovan, 27, gives the Penguins more toughness. The 6-2, 200-pounder had six goals, six assists and 40 penalty minutes in 48 games for the Thrashers this season, his eighth in the NHL.
A 1993 second-round pick of San Jose, Donovan has 60 goals, 60 assists and 307 penalty minutes in 458 NHL games. He began his career with the Sharks and also has played for Colorado.
Beset by injuries, including one to superstar center-owner Mario Lemieux, the Penguins are six points behind the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot in the East with 15 games left. Content: 15031000 15031001
