The Penguins landed two useful forwards and moved Derick Brassard off the books. Here's how both GMs did in the swap.
Penguins get: C Nick Bjugstad, C Jared McCann
Panthers get: C Derick Brassard, C Riley Sheahan, 2019 second-round pick, two 2019 fourth-round picks (Pittsburgh's and Minnesota's)
Pittsburgh Penguins: B-
Say this about GM Jim Rutherford: He's never one to hide how he feels.
Rutherford let us all know he coveted a third-line center at last year's deadline and felt he scored a winner with Derick Brassard. This season, Rutherford determined Brassard (and his alarmingly declining production) was expendable. Brassard is averaging just 0.38 points per game this season; his 12-year career average is 0.59. The Penguins weren't going to re-sign the pending UFA, and therefore he no longer figured into their long- or short-term plans.
The loss of Sheahan will be felt, especially on the penalty kill (he led all Penguins forwards in short-handed ice time per game, at 2:07), but he was a cost uncertainty this offseason.
As the Penguins gear up for what they hope is another long playoff run, they add two forwards. They arguably get the two best players in this entire deal, especially Bjugstad, who adds size (he's listed at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds) and, when healthy, could be a consistent 20-goal scorer. The forever transparent Rutherford has expressed a desire to get bigger, and Bjugstad is that. The 26-year-old is signed through 2020-21 at a cap hit ($4.1 million) that seems reasonable. Furthermore, while he'll begin at center, he has flexibility to play on the wing if necessary.
McCann, 22, is a value at $1.25 million through 2019-20 because of his upside. He's never played for a consistent winner before -- before Florida he was in Vancouver -- and the hope is he'll level up now that he's playing with a contender.
Yes, Pittsburgh gave up assets. The draft picks heading to Florida are why we have to lower this grade. But the main component is not losing draft capital for short-term gain, as in players who can walk. The Pens gave up two forwards with expiring contracts and acquired two young players with term. That's huge for a team that constantly has to reimagine itself to stay relevant while Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are in their prime.
Florida Panthers: B+
The Panthers weren't just supposed to be a trendy sleeper pick this season; the expectation was to contend for a playoff spot. But a rocky start -- combined with an ultracompetitive Atlantic Division -- has the Panthers looking from the outside in. GM Dale Tallon might be worrying about his own job security, but he'll do everything he can first to right this ship. That means making tough decisions and parting with players (like Bjugstad) once thought to be untouchable.
This move is all about the future for Florida. Brassard and Sheahan could stick around, but don't be shocked if you see Brassard flipped to another contending team before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Despite his shaky season, Brassard has tremendous value as a middle-six center and is a proven commodity with 23 goals and 36 assists in 90 playoff games.
One counterargument: Could the younger Bjugstad and McCann, who both have more term, generate better futures than Brassard and Sheahan? Either way, Florida can clear more than $5 million in cap space next year with Bjugstad and McCann off the books, which could pave the way for a splashy free-agent signing. Take notice, Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky: The Panthers will call.
And the draft picks? That's just gravy. Florida had previously traded away its 2019 second-round pick as part of the Mike Hoffman trade, so it's a strong move to recoup one in that round. There's not a lot to dislike from Florida's perspective. Parting with two young promising forwards is never easy. However, this is a team that needed a shakeup in order to match expectations. That shakeup might have to come over the summer, and now Florida has more flexibility to execute it, plus another potential trade chip in Brassard for the short term.