One day after the New York Rangers took a big step in overhauling their roster by trading Michael Grabner, the Ottawa Senators reportedly followed suit as they look to begin a major rebuild.
The Sens reportedly are sending center Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a first-round pick and goaltender Filip Gustavsson, according to TSN Insider Darren Dreger.
Brassard to Pittsburgh for a 1st, goalie Gustavsson and other cap related elements.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 23, 2018
Pens defenseman Ian Cole was then added to the trade.
Ian Cole to Ottawa part of deal as well. https://t.co/1BOxvKhY2d
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 23, 2018
Brassard was the Sens’ fourth-highest scorer this season, tallying the second-highest goal total (18) in addition to 20 assists thus far in the campaign.
Though the 30-year-old often centered Ottawa’s second line this season, he’ll likely see himself slide to a bottom-six forward role with Pittsburgh, given Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin occupy the center slots on the top two lines.
Ottawa clearly is building toward the future, and in getting the pick plus Gustavsson — a Swedish 19-year-old netminder who has yet to even play in North America — certainly will get things trending in that direction.
The Senators likely won’t be done before Monday’s trade deadline, either. Dreger indicated on TSN on Thursday that multiple players could be on the way out of Ottawa, with defenseman Erik Karlsson being the top prize.
