Dreger: Brassard likely to be traded

[CrosbyMalkin]

The problem isn't for this year, it's for next year and beyond. This year, they could afford Staal with limited cap retention by shipping out Brassard and Oleksiak. But it starts becoming a problem next year because of Guentzel's extension. I did a quick calculation on the Penguins board, the Penguins can spend about $9-9.5 million between their 2nd line RW (aka Kessel's spot) and their 3C. Even Staal at $4.5 million only leaves $4.5-$5 million for that 2nd line RW, which isn't enough to keep Kessel.

If the Penguins can get a good top-6 RW making $4.5 million in a Kessel return, then I'm happy to bring in Staal at anything below $5 million. The problem is that's a big if.

That’s crazy talk. Trade Kessel to make room for Staal? Kessel is 10 times the better player and it is no coincidence that once he was traded to the Pens they won the next 2 Cups. Kessel scores at about the same pace as Crosby and Malkin during those two Cup Runs and last year had a 92 point season. Kessel is on pace again for another 35+ goal and 90+ point season and you want to trade him to make room for an overpriced 3C? How does that make us better?

No way I trade Kessel to make room for Staal or any 3C for that matter. Kessel is a bargain at $6.8 million cap hit he has produced close to the same level of points as Crosby and Malkin who have much higher cap hits. Kessel is a big reason our PP is always near the top. Before Kessel teams cheated to one side, now they have to respect both sides.

I wouldn’t mind Staal but I hate that cap hit and never thought he was worth that contract even back when we offered him that and he turned us down which forced the trade. I was so happy we traded him because I knew he wasn’t worth that cap hit. Now if we can get $2 million retention yes but I dont see that happening. Other fish to go after.

 

[PensandCaps]

Yeah because I saw what he was doing in Ottawa, and it wasn't pretty in his last season. He's 31, and declining.

His last season in Ottawa was literally his best year. Wtf.

Must be reading something wrong.

Because if you look at his 5v5 production in Ottawa last season, it was high end #2C production.

 

[sansabri]

Let's be realistic, Brassard's play this season as a 3rd line center is not indicative of his 10 year NHL career as a 50-60 point 2c. As recently as 9 months ago he was arguably the hottest commodity at the trade deadline.
Combine that with the fact that his cap hit is half, and he will be a very attractive trade deadline target for some teams.

And yes, a 50-60 point center would be the best center Montreal has had since Plekanec was good 3-4 seasons ago.

We were told the same about Shipachyov.

 

[Toby Flenderson]

That’s crazy talk. Trade Kessel to make room for Staal? Kessel is 10 times the better player and it is no coincidence that once he was traded to the Pens they won the next 2 Cups. Kessel scores at about the same pace as Crosby and Malkin during those two Cup Runs and last year had a 92 point season. Kessel is on pace again for another 35+ goal and 90+ point season and you want to trade him to make room for an overpriced 3C? How does that make us better?

No way I trade Kessel to make room for Staal or any 3C for that matter. Kessel is a bargain at $6.8 million cap hit he has produced close to the same level of points as Crosby and Malkin who have much higher cap hits. Kessel is a big reason our PP is always near the top. Before Kessel teams cheated to one side, now they have to respect both sides.

I wouldn’t mind Staal but I hate that cap hit and never thought he was worth that contract even back when we offered him that and he turned us down which forced the trade. I was so happy we traded him because I knew he wasn’t worth that cap hit. Now if we can get $2 million retention yes but I dont see that happening. Other fish to go after.

I would definitely trade Kessel for the right price. 1st + top 6 winger. Something like J.T. Miller and 1st for Kessel to Tampa, for example.

That would give the Pens 2 1sts and Brassard to play with in bringing in a solid 3C like Hayes or Staal.

 

[Boud]

His last season in Ottawa was literally his best year. Wtf.

Must be reading something wrong.

Because if you look at his 5v5 production in Ottawa last season, it was high end #2C production.

Sens fan here...

Brassard played like a 3rd liner his entire time in Ottawa. Comparable to what Pageau brings.

 

[HawkeyTalkMan]

Sens fan here...

Brassard played like a 3rd liner his entire time in Ottawa. Comparable to what Pageau brings.

Brassards best year(s) were definitely in NY and those seem to be long behind him now

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

His last season in Ottawa was literally his best year. Wtf.

Must be reading something wrong.

Because if you look at his 5v5 production in Ottawa last season, it was high end #2C production.

His on-ice metrics were ridiculous as well. 10.14% Rel GF at 5-on-5 is pretty impressive.

I think he’s a guy who is definitely better than what he has shown in Pittsburgh but I also don’t think he will return to his 2017-2018 Ottawa level of play.

 

[CanadianHawks]

First team calling should be The Avs

 

[Newsworthy]

If the cap would work out in the long run, I think Staal would be amazing here.



Brassard had 8 points in 14 games with the Penguins after the trade though, with 7 of those points being at ES. He's struggling with the Penguins this year because he's very poorly suited to be used in a role the Penguins use their 3C in. He's an offensive center who should be used in an offensive role, he's at like a 40% offensive zone start% with the Penguins this year. The problem is that they can't use him in any other way because they're not going to take away offensive opportunities from Crosby and Malkin and give them to Brassard.

The people saying Brassard is over the hill are only looking at his point totals. He looks like a guy who's struggling in a role he's not suited for, and he looks incredibly vanilla because of it. Sometimes guys just don't fit with teams after trades, that doesn't mean they're over the hill or bad or anything like that.

Pittsburgh is trying to trade Brassard at his lowest value. He hasn't looked good at all this year. He has to play as a 2c but he doesn't generate enough offense.

 

[Tysonson3]

Brassard to Nashville for bonino

 

[Boud]

His on-ice metrics were ridiculous as well. 10.14% Rel GF at 5-on-5 is pretty impressive.

I think he’s a guy who is definitely better than what he has shown in Pittsburgh but I also don’t think he will return to his 2017-2018 Ottawa level of play.

That's what you get when you play with Mark Stone... Brassard is a 3rd line C since he was traded to Ottawa.

 

[Boud]

His on-ice metrics were ridiculous as well. 10.14% Rel GF at 5-on-5 is pretty impressive.

I think he’s a guy who is definitely better than what he has shown in Pittsburgh but I also don’t think he will return to his 2017-2018 Ottawa level of play.

That's what you get when you play with Mark Stone... Brassard is a 3rd line C since he was traded to Ottawa. His hockey IQ is pretty damn low for the reputation he has. Makes a lot of low percentage plays, puck management is not strong. He's essentially a 3rd line PP specialist...

 

[Trade]

Pitt wants a 3c back and they'd be getting the Sabres 2C! What a steal!

wow a 2c for a 2c, groundbreaking stuff.

 

[Viqsi]

Brassard to Nashville for bonino

I want something like this, but I suspect Pittsburgh would require retention by Nashville or something and so I've hesitated to suggest it.

 

[Toby Flenderson]

Brassard to Nashville for bonino

No thanks from this Pens fan

 

[voyageur]

Brassard to Winnipeg for a 2nd or Gustafsson and a 3rd.

We need centre depth for a long run. He may not even be in the starting lineup, but he'd be good for the ride, with a SCF and ECF final experience.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

3 way trade:

Pit gets Hayes and Nichuskin
Dallas gets Brassard
NYR gets Pitt 1st and Dal 2nd

Horrendous for Dallas.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Brassard to Winnipeg for a 2nd or Gustafsson and a 3rd.

We need centre depth for a long run. He may not even be in the starting lineup, but he'd be good for the ride, with a SCF and ECF final experience.

Lol at you thinking the Penguins would do this or that Brassard wouldn't be in the starting lineup.

People are going to be in for a rude awakening when Brassard gets traded for a nice haul, the people that thinks he sucks are going to look super foolish.

 

[CrosbyMalkin]

I would definitely trade Kessel for the right price. 1st + top 6 winger. Something like J.T. Miller and 1st for Kessel to Tampa, for example.

That would give the Pens 2 1sts and Brassard to play with in bringing in a solid 3C like Hayes or Staal.

Glad you are not The GM. Who cares about picks. Pens are in win now mode. I am all for using our 1st round pick, prospect, Brassard, and a defenseman to get an upgrade over Brassard but not at the expense of Kessel. Kessel is the main reason the Pens turned things around and won back to back Cups. Kessel has 92 points last year and is on pace for another 90+ point season. At $6.8 million cap hit he is a bargain. Lose him off the PP and that is a big done grade.

We are talking upgrading a 3C! This is not something hard to do. We have plenty of resources to do it. A 3C does not cost more than a 1st round pick and whatever we get for Brassard. I would stick with Brassard as the 3C if it meant trading Kessel.

I am sure we could get a great 3C that is not some $6 million cap hit. We could use a 1st and Maatta if we needed but I doubt we need to for a 3C.

 

[Soundgarden]

Brassard to Nashville for bonino

We already have Brassard in Turris.

 

[LiffLaff]

We were told the same about Shipachyov.

Because their NHL careers are so comparable...

 

[sansabri]

Because their NHL careers are so comparable...

Ah, no. What's comparable is fans of other teams telling us what unimpressive players we need.

 

[voyageur]

Lol at you thinking the Penguins would do this or that Brassard wouldn't be in the starting lineup.

People are going to be in for a rude awakening when Brassard gets traded for a nice haul, the people that thinks he sucks are going to look super foolish.

I don't the he sucks. I in fact posted the contrary. But Winnipeg is pretty stacked at forward, he'd be insurance.

And by nice haul, I think you are mistaken. If you are trying to dump a player that doesn't fit your team, you don't get a haul on that. You get relief to replace him. Otherwise you'd just keep him, right?

 

[Harvey Birdman]

Take out Jarry add a 2nd or LW/C prospect and we'll retain to 4.5.

Staal @ 4.5 for Brassard 1st other piece

I’d definitely do that package. Only caveat to It is that there would likely have to be some salary going back the other way to truly make It fit. Probably someone off the D, like Oleksiak.

 

[Michoulicious]

His last season in Ottawa was literally his best year. Wtf.

Must be reading something wrong.

Because if you look at his 5v5 production in Ottawa last season, it was high end #2C production.

I think you are mistaken.

In 2014-2015, Brassard had by far his best year, with 60 pts in 80 games during the regular season and a superb playoff performance with 16 points in 19 games.

Never was close to that level in Adawa.