Brassard comes off as an absolute cry baby in that article. It’s no wonder he didn’t fit in because he sounds like some weirdo emotional dude. He got the opportunity to play with Kessel on a “third” line and couldn’t cut it. That’s no one’s fault but his. Not Sully’s, not the core group, not anyone, but himself. Screw him.
This is a strange way to look at it. He had no control over a team trading for him that had no top 6 spots open for him, the ice time he had before, as well as top PP time. He didn't PK to be able to gain minutes back.
He had a real gripe to be upset about that. In a contract year no less. He was essentially a straight 5 on 5 guy who did still manage respectable (I didn't say great) numbers losing anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes of quality ice time. For a offensive C that's a lot over that span of 50+ games.
Brassard isn't the bad guy in this scenario, just miscast by a GM/HC who thought he'd thrive here.
You need 5 on 5 strong players to play that position and get more ice time PKing. The 3c isn't gonna touch the #1 PP here without injury to Sid or Geno.
Maybe had the Pens tried something like Pearson, Brassard, Malkin he might have worked out well enough and freed up Malkin to rover like he does. Who knows, that's not an option now.
In the end it's no ones fault but who brought him in thinking he could, with less.