They're both impending UFAs who scored at the exact same pace last year, Brassard plays a more valuable position, and he already has money retained on his deal to bring him down to 3 mil.
They can always look for a scoring line center elsewhere. Good luck.
I'm not a Canes fan.
1) Over their careers- Skinner scores .35 goals per game. Brassard .22
2) Oh but I'm not taking into account assists... Skinner gets .65 ppg Brassard .6 and btw since there are about 1.7 assists per goal, goals > assists. But even rated equally, Skinner gets more points. If the exact same pace in 1 year means something to you, then a better pace in multiple years must be even better.... no?
3) He plays the more valuable position so well that you mention in your post that the GM wants to move him to a different position.
4) Yes, a #1C is more valuable than a 1st line LW. But a #3 C, which is what Brassard is on Pitt (though he'd be a #2 on other teams) isn't more valuable than a 1st line LW.
5) Cool that Brassard has money retained. But again- Skinner is better and CAR wouldn't deal him straight up for Brassard. Asking them to also now retain in order to get the lesser player increases the gap.
6) Brassard is 5 years older.