The Penguins have expressed an interest in Senators centers Derick Brassard and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, reports Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch. However, the scribe notes that Ottawa isn’t likely to deal either player and it was reported earlier this week that the asking price for Brassard was quite steep – a first-round pick, a top prospect, plus another piece. The ask on Pageau is obviously lower but with two years at $3.1MM per season left on his deal, it might be a challenge for Pittsburgh to fit that into their salary structure. It’s well known that the Pens are still looking to add help down the middle but they will likely have to look elsewhere for that assistance.
More from the Metro:
- The Hurricanes may be willing to retain on center Marcus Kruger’s contract in an effort to move him before the trade deadline, notes Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News and Observer. Kruger recently cleared waivers and has played his last three games with Carolina’s AHL affiliate in Charlotte. Even with retaining on his contract, it still may be a challenge to find a taker as the 27-year-old has another year after this one on his deal with a cap hit just under $3.1MM although his salary dips to $2.3MM.
- Aaron Portzline of The Athletic relays (subscription required) that Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner is out there as a possible trade option. 2017-18 has been a down year for Jenner as he has just five goals in 50 games after tallying 48 over the previous two seasons combined. Given his size and ability to play center though, he would undoubtedly garner a lot of interest. Jenner has a $2.9MM salary and cap hit this season which will stand as his qualifying offer this summer as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
I’d give up a 1st, a 2nd, a decent prospect and Matt Hunwick for Brassard if the Sens eat half of his cap hit.
Way too much….
Not at all. A first and a decent prospect is a fair price for Brassard and the 2nd is to take the Hunwick contract, which has two years left on it after this season.
The problem with the deal is Melnyk would probably prefer a lesser return without taking back salary.
That trade doesn’t work cap wise for the Penguins. Brassard’s cap hit is $5 million a season. Hunwick’s is $2.25 million. The Pens have $199,569 in cap space. That swap of salaries doesn’t work unless the Sens retain salary. If the Sens do agree to retain salary, I would think they would want someone better than Matt Hunwick in the deal
That’s what he was saying when he said “with the send eating half his cap hit.” Hunwick is included to even out salary, with the second rounder providing incentive to keep him. In my opinion I’d rather have Boone Jenner or Pageau. Jenner adds grit and scoring touch which is exactly what you need for the playoffs and he has a smaller contract which would make it easier for the pens to fit him in and Pageau is a speedy and shifty guy who could cause matchup problems.