PP Bulletin: Penguins Acquire Brassard

Say this about Penguins GM Jim Rutherford. He sure ain’t bashful when it comes to makin’ big trades.

In what figures to be the marquee deal of the 2018 trade deadline, JR acquired center Derick Brassard, forward prospect Vincent Dunn and a third-round pick in the 2018 Entry Draft from Ottawa for defenseman Ian Cole, goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson, a first-round pick in the 2018 Entry Draft and a third-round pick in the 2019 Entry Draft.

In a related trade, the Pens sent right wing Ryan Reaves to Vegas along with a fourth-round pick in the 2018 Entry Draft for forward prospect Tobias Lindberg and an agreement to retain 40 percent of Brassard’s remaining salary for the season.

“This is the most complex trade I’ve made,” said Rutherford said. “Three-way deals are hard to make. We thought we had the deal made earlier in the day; it wasn’t made. We had to make a couple changes. It took quite a bit longer than most. There was [salary] cap issues.”

Brassard, a noted Penguin-killer during his days as a Ranger and Blue Jacket, notched 18 goals and 38 points in 54 games with the Senators this season. Not only does the 11-year-vet represent a significant upgrade at third-line center, he possesses the skill to slot up to first- or second-line center in the event of an injury to Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.

Brassard’s presence bumps Riley Sheahan–hot of late–to the fourth line, giving the Pens enviable depth down the middle.

However, in strengthening themselves at center, the Pens potentially weakened themselves on defense. Since emerging from coach Mike Sullivan’s dog house a month ago, Cole tallied a goal and five assists in 11 games (and registered a gaudy plus-12) while combining with Jamie Oleksiak to form an efficient, physical third pairing. Not coincidentally, the Pens were on fire during that stretch, going 9-1-1.

It remains to be seen if summertime pick up Matt Hunwick can do just that…pick up his game and fill the void created by Cole’s departure. If not, Chad Ruhwedel…or perhaps Oleksiak clone Andrey Pedan (currently with the Baby Pens)…could step in.

Brassard, 30, is signed through next season at $5 million/year. Cole, popular with fans and teammates alike, is a UFA to be.

The Pens also parted with a considerable chunk of muscle in Reaves, generally regarded as the NHL heavyweight champ. Following a sluggish start, the burly forward seemed to be coming on of late.

“Again, that was a player that one of these teams insisted on having, so we had to do it,” Rutherford said.

Lindberg, a 6’3″ 215-pound right wing, was a fourth-round pick of Ottawa’s in 2013. The 22-year-old has eight goals in 48 games for the Chicago Wolves. Dunn, who play an aggressive style, is a low-level prospect who’s split time between the AHL and ECHL.