Pens acquire Bjugstad, McCann from Panthers
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann from the Florida Panthers for forward Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan and three 2019 draft picks.
The Penguins announced the trade Friday, a move that will give them an influx of youth in the 26-year-old Bjugstad and the 22-year-old McCann as they make another playoff push.
The Penguins landed two useful forwards and moved Derick Brassard off the books. Here’s how both GMs did in the swap.
We grade each team in six areas, identify a class president and student in danger of failing, and issue an overall mark based on preseason expectations.
The NHL’s trade deadline is now less than a month away. Victoria Matiash takes a look at some of the likeliest candidates to be moved, and the fantasy ramifications if they are.
Bjugstad, who is signed through the 2020-21 season at an average of $4.1 million per year, has five goals and seven assists in 32 games for the Panthers this season. McCann, signed through the 2019-20 season at an average of $1.25 million, has eight goals and 10 assists in 46 contests with Florida.
The deal ends Pittsburgh’s experiment in attempting to make 31-year-old Brassard the team’s third-line center. Acquired in a deal with Ottawa last season, Brassard struggled to generate much offense during his brief time with the Penguins, collecting just 12 goals in 64 games with Pittsburgh.
Sheahan, 27, brought over in a trade with Detroit early in the 2017-18 season, had 18 goals and 23 assists in 122 games with the Penguins.
Pittsburgh also sent a second-round pick and two fourth-round picks in the 2019 draft to Panthers to complete the deal.
“This move balances our needs now and will help us improve in the future,” Panthers president and general manager Dale Tallon said. “We are pleased to have acquired two quality veteran forwards in Derick and Riley, while adding three valuable 2019 draft selections. 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.”
Brassard, who has also played for the Senators, Rangers and Blue Jackets since being drafted in 2006, has 443 career points.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.