RALEIGH Ron Hainsey’s run with the Carolina Hurricanes lasted exactly 300 games. The veteran defenseman was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a second-round draft in this summer’s draft and forward Danny Kristo.The Hurricanes now have three second round picks in the June draft, giving them selections in the first three rounds with their first-rounder and two third-round picks.Hainsey, 35, is a veteran of 891 NHL games with four franchises Montreal, Columbus, Atlanta/Winnipeg and Carolina but has never played a playoff game. That will change with his move to the Penguins, the defending Stanley Cup champions.The move also signals Carolina general manager Ron Francis’ decision to sell at the deadline. The Hurricanes entered a five-game homestand last Friday with hopes of making a push toward the playoff race, but losses in the first three games put a realistic end to their chances.Instead Carolina will again look to the draft and offseason, trying to compile assets. Forwards Jay McClement, Derek Ryan and Viktor Stalberg, and defenseman Matt Tennyson are all unrestricted free agents after the season.The return for Hainsey was good Arizona got a third-round pick and conditional fifth-round pick from Calgary for defenseman Michael Stone and Francis will surely look to add more picks with his other expiring contracts.Hainsey had 58 points (15 goals, 43 assists) in his four seasons in Carolina, and 250 points over the course of his career. He was originally signed by Carolina by then-GM Jim Rutherford, who now serves that role with the Penguins.Kristo will be with his third NHL franchise this season. A second-round pick in 2008 by Montreal, Kristo had 20-goal seasons in each of his first three full AHL campaigns. But he has combined for just six goals and 14 points in 40 games in the AHL this season with Wilkes-Barre and Chicago.
