Devils Get Mogilny on Quiet Deadline Day

Robbed of its drama by a flurry of major moves last week, the NHL’s trading deadline passed almost quietly Tuesday. Twelve trades were made involving 23 players, the fewest deals since deadline day in 1993.

In the splashiest move, the New Jersey Devils acquired right wing Alexander Mogilny from the Vancouver Canucks for centers Brendan Morrison and Dennis Pederson.

Mogilny, who shared the goal-scoring lead in 1992-93 with 76, has the speed and skill to be a game breaker but has sat out 23 games this season because of back and shoulder injuries. The 31-year-old Russian will earn $5.3 million next season, the last on his contract.

The Mighty Ducks were among the most active clubs, with three minor trades. They sent defenseman Dan Trebil to Pittsburgh for a fifth-round pick in the 2000 entry draft, acquired right wing Ed Ward from Atlanta for a conditional pick in 2001 and acquired goalie Corey Hirsch from Nashville for future considerations. Hirsch will stay with Utah of the IHL.

Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier said he lacked the depth to make a momentous move.

“Whether you like it or not, if you don’t have those assets, you can’t do these types of deals,” said Gauthier, whose team was five points from the final West playoff berth.

“You have to keep building your assets. It’s very easy for people to say, ‘How come you’re not doing this type of deal?’ Because we don’t have those types of assets, and not many teams do.”

The Kings, who acquired Kelly Buchberger and Nelson Emerson from Atlanta on Monday for Donald Audette and Frantisek Kaberle, made no additional moves.

Tuesday’s deadline was almost anticlimactic after the Colorado Avalanche’s trade for Ray Bourque and the Buffalo Sabres’ addition of Chris Gratton and Doug Gilmour last week. The large number of teams in playoff contention minimized the action, because teams are reluctant to revamp their rosters while in the running for postseason play.

However, the Pittsburgh Penguins, vying for a spot in the East, changed their goaltending mix. They acquired goalie Ron Tugnutt and defenseman Janne Laukkanen from Ottawa for veteran goalie Tom Barrasso, who played on two Stanley Cup-winning teams in Pittsburgh and is their franchise leader in most goaltending categories. He can become a walkaway free agent July 1 and previously alienated teammates by yelling at fellow goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin for leaving a game, even though Aubin was hurt.

Barrasso, 34, has not played since Feb. 11, when he was given leave to be at his ailing father’s bedside. He rejoined the Penguins a few days ago. Tugnutt, a former Duck, can also become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Senators held firm on their vow not to trade AWOL center Alexei Yashin, and the Canucks kept center Mark Messier, who was rumored to be headed to the New York Rangers or the Devils.

Vancouver General Manager Brian Burke, whose team is six points out of a West playoff berth, said he tried to sign Mogilny to an extension before trading him.

“We are not raising the white flag,” Burke said. “[Morrison and Pederson] provide us with a different look that can keep us competitive.”

The Penguins added depth up the middle by getting Josef Beranek from Edmonton for disgruntled left wing German Titov. They also acquired goalie Tyler Moss and left wing Rene Corbet from Calgary for defenseman Brad Werenka. The Philadelphia Flyers, concerned about intense headaches that have idled Eric Lindros, grabbed 6-foot-3 center Kent Manderville from Carolina for rugged winger Sandy McCarthy.

Times staff writer Chris Foster contributed to this story.