The Pittsburgh Penguins completed a long-rumored trade of Derick Brassard on Friday, sending the third-line center, Riley Sheahan and three draft picks to the Florida Panthers for forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann.
The Penguins will give Florida a second-round pick and two fourth-rounders in June’s draft.
Brassard has been an awkward fit on the Penguins’ third line since he was acquired from Ottawa before last season’s trade deadline. He has nine goals and 15 points in 40 games this season.
Bjugstad’s calling card is his size. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward has five goals and 12 points in 32 games this season. He’s 26.
McCann, 22, has eight goals and 18 points in 46 games this season.
Both Bjugstad and McCann have played both center and wing during their NHL careers. Both are former first-round picks.
The moves nearly cancel out in salary.
Bjugstad makes $4.1 million on a deal that has two more years left after this season. McCann makes $1.25 on a deal with one year left. Brassard and Sheahan had a combined charge of $5.35 million on the Penguins’ salary cap.
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Jonathan Bombulie is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jonathan at jbombulie@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BombulieTrib.
