I can't see Brassard staying in Pitt long term. 2C pay is more than 3C pay.

I think he is the piece to move to help somewhere else.
- sammy87

Where else do they need help? Trade brassard and maybe mckegg can come back

The Aussie troll formula:

1. Identify a semi-abrasive take that is grounded in minimal to zero logic

2. Die on that hill

3. Throw a bunch of emojis at the wall and see what sticks

4. Throw out the winky emoji at people he successfully bates to see if he can get a further reaction

5. Repeat
- Victoro311

I can't see Brassard staying in Pitt long term. 2C pay is more than 3C pay.

I think he is the piece to move to help somewhere else.
- sammy87

Brassard is going to be 31 when his contract is up. Not that he's old, but by hockey standards he's entering the declining years. I don't know that he's going to get real 2C money anymore. Depending on how this year pans out for him, I couldn't see him getting more than $5M elsewhere which IMO is the cost moving closer to high-end 3C money than 2C money.

Brassard is going to be 31 when his contract is up. Not that he's old, but by hockey standards he's entering the declining years. I don't know that he's going to get real 2C money anymore. Depending on how this year pans out for him, I couldn't see him getting more than $5M elsewhere which IMO is the cost moving closer to high-end 3C money than 2C money.
- Rinosaur

Nah. Aging curves are not a real thing. Ask Aussie.

Nah. Aging curves are not a real thing. Ask Aussie.
- Feds91Stammer

How old is Phil Kessel. I guess he was useless last season because he was older than 28?

How old is Phil Kessel. I guess he was useless last season because he was older than 28?
- Aussiepenguin

Because that's what he was implying.

She-man can play 3C, Culldog & Blueger have been identified as 4C also.

If JR can get a good return I think he takes it, unless Brassard is playing the house down making it hard for him to trade him. In that scenario he's probably at the highest value as well so...

He traded Reaves after paying a fair price to get him - some say a 1st rounder.
- Aussiepenguin

I think the plan right now is for Brass to play LW with Sheahan to play 3C and Cullen/Blueger at 4C. It’s been hinted at. With that belief, probably the only way Brass leaves is if a LW comes back our way from a team that needs an upgrade at 2C

And the JJ bashing continues...

I wonder if he plays well (like Fleury did) Will the tone change?

Even if he gets Top 4 minutes and does well I don't expect much praise.
- Barnaby36

Fleury was also brutal in the cup final, people aren’t going to forget that just like they’re not going to forget Luongo in the 2011 playoffs when he was on the exact same path. I’m still a big flower fan

I think the plan right now is for Brass to play LW with Sheahan to play 3C and Cullen/Blueger at 4C. It’s been hinted at. With that belief, probably the only way Brass leaves is if a LW comes back our way from a team that needs an upgrade at 2C
- WSCTeton17

I honestly don't think there is a real "plan" per se. From everything I've read/heard, Cullen will be playing LW to start, but Sullivan has shown to be a bit impatient with things like this, so if Cullen starts off stronger than Sheahan I could absolutely seem him swapping them right away and the same holds true for Brassard. I believe Brass will begin the season as the Pens 3C and if struggles out of the gate, he'll go to LW.

I think the plan right now is for Brass to play LW with Sheahan to play 3C and Cullen/Blueger at 4C. It’s been hinted at. With that belief, probably the only way Brass leaves is if a LW comes back our way from a team that needs an upgrade at 2C
- WSCTeton17

I keep forgetting that he can play wing.

If thats the case he replaces Hags cash next year if it pans out, then he could stick around long term.

Brassard is going to be 31 when his contract is up. Not that he's old, but by hockey standards he's entering the declining years. I don't know that he's going to get real 2C money anymore. Depending on how this year pans out for him, I couldn't see him getting more than $5M elsewhere which IMO is the cost moving closer to high-end 3C money than 2C money.
- Rinosaur

I think $5M is the absolute bottom for him but I could see a scenario where he gets upwards of $7M per season.

If the Pens get a great offer and can bring a younger player with term remaining I would be all for it rather than having Brassard walk for nothing at the end of the year.

The Pens are in a good spot. If they get a great offer, they still have enough center depth to get by without Brassard. If they don't get a great offer, they stand pat with the far and away best top to bottom center group in the league.

And the JJ bashing continues...

I wonder if he plays well (like Fleury did) Will the tone change?

Even if he gets Top 4 minutes and does well I don't expect much praise.
- Barnaby36

You act like we all want him to fail. I'm not sure why it's so odd for fans to be weary about signing a player who's performed poorly.

I think the plan right now is for Brass to play LW with Sheahan to play 3C and Cullen/Blueger at 4C. It’s been hinted at. With that belief, probably the only way Brass leaves is if a LW comes back our way from a team that needs an upgrade at 2C
- WSCTeton17

Brassard would come out and demand a trade if he was moved to 3rd line LW. Im sure he would be fine riding shotgun to Malkin or Crosby but he is going to be looking at his last big contract. He has a hell of a lot more value coming off a season playing center than LW.

I think $5M is the absolute bottom for him but I could see a scenario where he gets upwards of $7M per season.

If the Pens get a great offer and can bring a younger player with term remaining I would be all for it rather than having Brassard walk for nothing at the end of the year.

The Pens are in a good spot. If they get a great offer, they still have enough center depth to get by without Brassard. If they don't get a great offer, they stand pat with the far and away best top to bottom center group in the league.
- MacPatty

But, but, but we don't have Tavares....

Brassard would come out and demand a trade if he was moved to 3rd line LW. Im sure he would be fine riding shotgun to Malkin or Crosby but he is going to be looking at his last big contract. He has a hell of a lot more value coming off a season playing center than LW.
- MacPatty

I read he hasn't actually played wing before. It's something JR & Sully are cooking up. Whether that's true I don't know.

I think $5M is the absolute bottom for him but I could see a scenario where he gets upwards of $7M per season.

If the Pens get a great offer and can bring a younger player with term remaining I would be all for it rather than having Brassard walk for nothing at the end of the year.

The Pens are in a good spot. If they get a great offer, they still have enough center depth to get by without Brassard. If they don't get a great offer, they stand pat with the far and away best top to bottom center group in the league.
- MacPatty

The market will dictate all of that. I haven't taken a look at what the UFA market looks like next off-season, but I just don't see a guy like Brassard getting $7M at this point in his career. Stastny got $6.5M in a market where Centers really came at a premium because of the thin selection after Tavares.

Do they really have enough center depth without Brassard? Yeah, Sheahan started to make me change my mind a bit last year, but what's after him? Cullen is surely done after this year. We don't know what WBS guys are really ready to be a quality 4C.

With how strong the East is, you don't want have another year where you roll into the season with another McKegg or Johnson. Each contender has an above average 4C.

I keep forgetting that he can play wing.

If thats the case he replaces Hags cash next year if it pans out, then he could stick around long term.
- sammy87

I don’t think Brass wants to play wing even if it’s with Geno. When you’re a natural center, it’s where you want to be. So, even if he has a good year and puts up 25/35 on Geno’s wing with PP2 time I still think he leaves to go play center for someone else
I don’t think we need to worry beyond this season with extensions except with our RFAs. The free agent crop next season is extremely strong. Personally, I’d like to see us grab one for an audition and try to entice them to take a bit of a discount. I would’ve been happy with Neal at 5.75M (assuming he cuts the poop - which he won’t), I really wanted Kane last deadline (wow would we ever look different if we pulled that off), and Skinner would probably be a good fit in our top 6 as well

I don’t think Brass wants to play wing even if it’s with Geno. When you’re a natural center, it’s where you want to be. So, even if he has a good year and puts up 25/35 on Geno’s wing with PP2 time I still think he leaves to go play center for someone else
I don’t think we need to worry beyond this season with extensions except with our RFAs. The free agent crop next season is extremely strong. Personally, I’d like to see us grab one for an audition and try to entice them to take a bit of a discount. I would’ve been happy with Neal at 5.75M (assuming he cuts the poop - which he won’t), I really wanted Kane last deadline (wow would we ever look different if we pulled that off), and Skinner would probably be a good fit in our top 6 as well
- WSCTeton17

I just dont like the idea of signing a 31+ yr old to a 5 + yr extension with all the other older guys.

Brassard would come out and demand a trade if he was moved to 3rd line LW. Im sure he would be fine riding shotgun to Malkin or Crosby but he is going to be looking at his last big contract. He has a hell of a lot more value coming off a season playing center than LW.
- MacPatty

I don’t know why you would even think 3LW lol. I mean.. it’s possible he has chemistry with Sheahan and Phil.. but the hint (as posted numerous times by many people) is for him to flank Geno

I think the plan right now is for Brass to play LW with Sheahan to play 3C and Cullen/Blueger at 4C. It’s been hinted at. With that belief, probably the only way Brass leaves is if a LW comes back our way from a team that needs an upgrade at 2C
- WSCTeton17

Winnipeg wanted Brassard at the deadline before the Pens got him. I wonder if they still need a 2C? I can't remember if they've signed anyone yet? Brassard would be wanted by other teams - something I think he knows very well. If he Is forced to play wing I can see him asking for a trade.

This from the guy who based his opinions on box score stats.
- Rinosaur

Hahah

I just dont like the idea of signing a 31+ yr old to a 5 + yr extension with all the other older guys.
- sammy87

This was extremely non specific but I’ll assume you’re referring to James Neal who already has proven chemistry with Malkin (40 goal season) and is a lock for 20+ regardless. I’m not saying he’s Patrick Marleau, but when you’re sure about a guy who can perform you have to get yourself comfortable with him performing at an older age. Calgary is comfortable with it, Vegas offered an extension, maybe we had a lower offer idk. We were all laughing at that Oshie extension, myself included especially since I can’t stand his excessive late/high hits (like how Ovie hits at times)- but there is a chance that he maybe lives up to that contract.. but I doubt it

Winnipeg wanted Brassard at the deadline before the Pens got him. I wonder if they still need a 2C? I can't remember if they've signed anyone yet? Brassard would be wanted by other teams - something I think he knows very well. If he Is forced to play wing I can see him asking for a trade.
- Aussiepenguin

Rumor mills were flirting with the idea of Brass for Myers+ fwiw

Obviously Brassard will retire if he is not given the 1C role.

Rumor mills were flirting with the idea of Brass for Myers+ fwiw
- WSCTeton17

Brass for Skinner would make sense for both teams... JR has hinted at making a hockey trade. This would be the foundation because I think we would need to off load a salary like Hags too.