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Derick Brassard trade impact on the Rangers |
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New York was helped - at least this year - by a trade that just went down today. Pittsburgh acquires Derick Brassard from Ottawa for a 2018 first round pick, goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson and Ian Cole, with the Senators covering up to 18% of Brassard’s salary. The Penguins had been rumored to be on Brassy, who played against Pitt the last three years in the playoffs, now joins them as they try for a third cup in a row.
The gauntlet was thrown down to the league and at a minimum, the East. Two cups on a row wasn’t enough, Pittsburgh wants more. Third line center was an area of need in the Steel City, now it isn’t. Brassard neatly slides into that role, but should also see second line PP time and gives the Penguins depth - and talent depth - in case of injury to the big two down the middle.
Big Game Brass has a playoff pedigree. With 22 goals and 33 assists in 78 career post-season games, this is no playoff nube. Brassard’s experience plays nicely for Pittsburgh. Losing Ian Cole hurts a bit because of his playoff experience but look for Matt Hunwick, hey another ex-Ranger on a divisional rival, see a theme, to fill in for Cole, who is likely to be flipped and could end up with the Islanders. Gustavsson is a solid prospect, but expendable with Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry both young between the pipes for Pittsburgh.
If Toronto, who lost Auston Matthews to a shoulder injury last night with Matthews likely out a while or Tampa Bay wants to contend, reinforcements will be needed. Rick Nash at a minimum or possibly Ryan McDonagh along with others is available. Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Borgmanp and a pick or something of that ilk for McDonagh won’t cut it if Brassard brought back Gustavsson and the first rounder. Tampa if you want Nash or McDonagh, Brett Howden or someone like that probably won’t cut it. Ottawa can still move Mike Hoffman, so teams do have other options to acquire, but Nash’s price tag went up a bit following the Brassard trade with that option off the table. The same applies to Western Conference teams who believe they are contenders.
There is a Rangers’ game tonight against Minnesota but the action of the ice is secondary to off the ice. Nash and McDonagh won’t play as New York is dealing the former and determining what to do with the latter, who still is coming back from injury. Chris Kreider could possibly see his first game since December 27, while Henrik Kundqvist will be back between the pipes after Alexandar Georgiev was brilliant in his debut yesterday against the Canadiens.
New blog up Saturday night or Sunday AM. I am to attend the Ratelle number retirement ceremony and game Sunday. Wonder what the team will look like by then. Anything major that happens will be updated before that contest in a new blog.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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