Some thoughts from the media on the Pittsburgh Penguins – Florida Panthers trade that saw Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, 2019 2nd and two 4th round draft picks for Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann.
Jameson Olive: Panthers GM Dale Tallon: “This move allows our team to remain competitive this season while providing additional flexibility and permitting us to be aggressive in the free agent market this summer.”
Bob McKenzie: “Key for FLA is shedding salary commitments beyond this season, getting flexibility to potentially take a run at pending UFAs Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. Key for PIT was turning expiring contracts into younger contract players without taking an immediate step back now.”
Pierre LeBrun: “As we talked about yesterday, Florida hopes to take a run at Panarin and Bobrovsky so after today’s trade they have more flexibility to do it. And while they could wait until July 1 to go after them, they could also inquire before Feb 25 if something makes sense… so stay tuned.”
Chris Johnston: “From #FlaPanthers perspective, this trade clears cap room for them to be big players in free agency while arming scouts with picks. My sense is they’re not yet waving the white flag on this season and will see how things go with Brassard. Not immediately looking to flip him.”
Chris Johnston: “Of course, a further move involving Derick Brassard could materialize before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. But #FlaPanthers had a strong finish last season and management wants to see how team responds after this move. Both Brassard/Sheahan are pending UFA’s.”
Cap Friendly: “#Penguins actually added $250,000 in full cap hit value to their salary cap with today’s trade. However the club is still over $1M in full cap hit value below the ceiling, and as result can still activate Justin Schultz off LTIR at any time.”
George Richards: “#FlaPanthers shed some cash moving forward but lose a very popular player both among fans and teammates. Sets them up for a bigger move?”
Bill Whitehead: “Brassard came up with and played center for CBJ, Blue Jackets only have one center right now according to Tortorella, and they’re riding a 4-gm losing streak and clinging to a WC spot. Plus Cats have a bunch of picks. Hmm, how about …”
Jonathan Bombulie: “I thought Rutherford was going to have to trade Brassard for picks to a contender, then flip those picks to a seller for a third-line center rental. This is much more tidy.”
Jonathan Bombulie: “Bjugstad is the bigger name, but I remember hearing McCann’s name around this time last year. The Penguins have had their eye on him for a while.”
Jason Mackey: “Penguins very clearly wanting to get bigger. Bjugstad is 6-foot-6, 215 pounds. Had 24 goals in 72 GP in 2014-15. Never thought Panthers would trade him.”
Josh Yohe: “Penguins have long liked Bjugstad. Didn’t fit in to style of play as much in last couple of years. They’re looking to go bigger now. So there you go.”
Adam Gretz: “Overall I can’t really criticize the job Jim Rutherford has done because, I mean … banners hang forever. But for two years now every transaction as he’s made has been one that he’s had to undo or cut bait on within a year. At some point that’s not a sustainable to run a team.”
Michael Augello: “FLA clears over $5M in cap space the next two seasons by moving Bjugstad and McCann. More evidence that Dale Tallon will be a big buyer in free agency this July. Plus….he will probably swap Sheahan and Brassard for more picks before 2/25.”
J.D. Burke: “Jared McCann is a decent enough player. Not a fringe NHL’er. Definitely a 3C at this stage in his career.”
Hannah Stuart: “It’s possible to like this trade for the Penguins & like that GMJR is trying to maximize the Crosby/Malkin window and still be concerned about the overall trend of trading picks and not drafting well. Those things can coexist, because hockey is complicated.”
Dimitri Filipovic: “Other than the fact that they took on more future money, gave up a bunch of draft capital, and didn’t really get appreciably better for this season in the process I think the Penguins did well here.”
Will Scouch: “Nothing like Florida selling low on solid talent.”
So, PIT and FLA connect on a trade of players suffering through pretty disappointing seasons:
FLA receives…
Sheahan (-2.7 GAR)
Brassard (-8.3)
and several mid-round picks
TOTAL = -11 GARPIT receives…
McCann 1.8
Bjugstad -0.2Total = 1.6 GAR pic.twitter.com/bYwmLs51IW
— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) February 1, 2019
Looks like #LetsGoPens getting stronger with Nick Bjugstad and being able to dump underperforming Brassard. (They are sneaky strong already imo.)
SKATR https://t.co/gVthkzLNLd#FlaPanthers get two pending UFA's and send out two signed contracts.
2018-19 profiles shown. pic.twitter.com/xEO3ZA1VWa— Bill Comeau 🏒📊🇨🇦 (@billius27) February 1, 2019