Update 6:00 PM ** Nick Kypreos: “Hearing NHL has rejected the Brassard trade unless Penguins, Senators, Golden Knights can restructure the trade to leagues satisfaction.”
updated 5:15 PM ** Bob McKenzie: “PIT-OTT deal involving Brassard is ultra-complicated, so much so that Brassard will likely first be traded to a team other than PIT. Then flipped to PIT. Hearing that third team is likely VGK. Potential for layers of salary retention.” **
The Ottawa Senators have traded center Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2018 1st round pick, pending UFA defenseman Ian Cole, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson.
The 30-year old Brassard was drafted 6th overall in the 1st round of the 2006 draft by Blue Jackets. He carries a $5 million salary cap hit.
The 29-year old Cole was drafted 18th overall in the 1st round of the 2007 draft by the Blues.
The 19-year old Gustavsson was drafted 55th overall in the 2nd round of the draft by the Penguins.
Thoughts from the media …
Dan Kingerski: “So, you’re telling me the Penguins got a top notch center for a goalie who may or may not play in the NHL in 3-4 years, a defenseman they weren’t going to re-sign, and a first-round pick which figures to be 29, 30 or 31st. Yeah, Jim Rutherford got ’em again.”
Shelly Anderson: “Rutherford not only got the guy he wanted but did it before the deadline. Big move.”
Brian Lawton: “I really like this trade for @penguins as they can easily move Brassard this summer if they want to offset the price they paid for him now, which really for a club like the Penguins could easily make it back to the finals. 30th pick or lower in the draft.”
John Shannon: “Brassard has a cap hit of 5 mil (before any $ retained by Senators), and a cash salary of 3.5 million for next season.”
Dean Brown: “Interesting deal with Sens sending Brassard to Pitt for a 1st, Cole and Gustavsson. Pittsburgh gets better today and the Sens hope to get better in the future.”
Mike Harrington: “Brassard gives them that Bonino kind of weapon back”
Jason Mackey: “Penguins fourth-line options around Sheahan are now Rowney, Reaves, Kuhnhackl, ZAR and Simon. Pick two. Or Sheary if you want ZAR with Sid.”
Mike Zeisberger: “Part of the reason #pens could make Brassard deal was the embarrassment of riches they have between the pipes. Matt Murray (23), Tristan Jarry (22), Casey DeSmith (26) are the reasons they could trade Filip Gustavsson (19), voted top G at 2018 World Jrs. in Buffalo.”
Steve Kournianos: “Filip Gustavsson is one of the best goalie prospects in the world. Outstanding quickness & post-save recovery for a big kid. Very patient; not super aggressive. Doesn’t lose awareness of the net when he challenges. Minor issue with glove-hand speed but that improves with age.”
Adam Gretz: “I thought the Penguins were going to have to for sure give up Daniel Sprong to get Brassard. Stunning that they didn’t.”