Panthers likely to trade recently-acquired Brassard before deadline

This weekend the Hockey Night In Canada panel discusses contract talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews plus much more.

Derick Brassard hasn’t been a member of the Florida Panthers very long and he might want to keep his suitcase packed.

Brassard was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Panthers on Friday, along with fellowing pending unrestricted free agent Riley Sheahan, in exchange for forwards Nick Bjugstad, Jared McCann and three draft picks.

While a trade doesn’t appear imminent, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported Saturday during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada that “the feeling is he will be moved” before the Feb. 25 trade deadline.

Kypreos mentioned the Columbus Blue Jackets as one team that could potentially be interested in the 31-year-old. There have been rumours swirling recently that the Panthers are among the many teams interested in pursuing Blue Jackets star winger Artemi Panarin. This has some thinking Florida could include Brassard in a package for the Russian but that is merely speculation at this point.

Brassard was selected sixth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2006 NHL Draft and spent the first 5 1/2 years of his 756-game NHL career there. He has also had stints on the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators.

More accustomed to a top-six role, Brassard had struggled offensively as Pittsburgh’s third-line centre with just 15 points in 40 games this season.

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