HOCKEY CRUNCH – Breaking Down the Panther Penguins Trade by Jamie Gilcig 020219

A good hockey trade means both teams win. Neither GM loses face. They fill their needs. It makes for stronger trade relationships.

Nobody wants to be burned or embarrassed.

The old axiom is that you can’t bottle talent. In this trade Derrick Brassard never clicked for the Penguins. He and Riley Sheahan were on expiring contracts. A 2nd rounder has value, but 4ths are usually lottery tix or role player picks.

For the Pittsburgh they acquired what will be a good 3C for them at good term. Bjugstad has 2 more season at a reasonable $4.1M. McCann can be buried at his salary. Considering it was the trade deadline it was a great move for Jim Rutherford.

For Dale Tallon it was giving up an asset to address multiple needs. If he flips Brassard he could very well end up with a 1st to go with the 2nd from Pittsburg and the 2 4ths while creating some cap space for a big ticket splash if you believe the chatter.

Pittsburgh wins the trade for now as they got the best asset in the deal, but the long term value may just be with the Panthers.

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