Puck Prose
Fansided

NHL Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins looking to move Derick Brassard

By Dave Stevenson

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 02: Derick Brassard #19 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 2, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 02: Derick Brassard #19 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 2, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Pittsburgh Penguins are very much open to trading third line center Derick Brassard. 

Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins made the bold move of trading for Derick Brassard to help shore up their third line. Less than a year later, he has been a big disappointment in Pittsburgh. And, according to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Pens are looking to move him.

Brassard would be a rental, as he will be a free agent after this season. On the latest Insider Trading segment on TSN, Darren Dreger reported the Penguins’ desire to trade him.

More from Puck Prose

The Pens haven’t gotten much from Brassard, even though they acquired him hoping he would be their third line center. This season, he has eight goals and six assists (14 points) in 37 games. Brassard has seen his playing time decrease, as he’s playing a shade over 15 minutes per night for the Penguins.

Their interest in trading him comes in layers. First of all, the Penguins need a better third-line center if they want to win their third Stanley Cup in four seasons. Trading Brassard should help them do that, in an indirect way. Secondly, the Penguins are right up against the cap ceiling. Brassard’s the most obvious candidate to be moved if they want to pursue a meaningful upgrade at center.

Potential Suitors

It’ll be hard to find a contender interested in him, given his struggles. Maybe the Buffalo Sabres would take him at a low cost? The San Jose Sharks could be looking for upgrades, but don’t have much cap space. They might be willing to take a chance on a proven playoff performer like Brassard.

The Columbus Blue Jackets could be looking to add some center depth. But would the Penguins be willing to trade with them? Brassard’s contract ends after this season, which would work well for the Blue Jackets, who are hoping to find a way to keep Artemi Panarin around long-term.

For updated NHL trade rumors, be sure to check out our Rumors page!

Home/Rumors