UPDATE: And the trade details are in.
Penguins receive:
- Nick Bjugstad
- Jared McCann.
Panthers receive:
- Derick Brassard
- Riley Sheahan
- 2019 2nd Round Pick (PIT)
- 2019 4th Round Pick (PIT)
- 2019 4th Round Pick (MIN)
Full press release below or Penguins.com for more details.
Penguins Acquire Forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann from the Florida Panthers in Exchange for Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan and Three 2019 Draft Picks
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan and three 2019 draft picks, it was announced today by Penguins executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.
The 2019 draft picks the Penguins sent to the Panthers are a second-round selection and two fourth-rounders, the Pens’ own selection and the Minnesota Wild’s pick.
Bjugstad, 26, is signed through the 2020-21 campaign and he carries an average annual value of $4.1 million. McCann, 22, is signed through the 2019-20 season and he carries an average annual value of $1.25 million. McCann will be a restricted free agent upon the completion of his deal; Bjugstad will be an unrestricted free agent.
Both young forwards have played both center and on the wing this year for the Panthers. Bjugstad has won 51 percent of his draws thus far, the third time in four seasons he’s had a success rate of 51 percent or higher.
Bjugstad, who stands 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, is in his sixth full NHL season. He had five goals and 12 points in 32 games with Florida this year. Last year he suited up for all 82 games, notching 19 goals and a career-best 49 points.
A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the righthanded-shooting Bjugstad enjoyed his best season with the Panthers in 2014-15, scoring a career-high 24 goals and totaling 43 points in 72 games. In 394 career games, Bjugstad has tallied 87 goals, 104 assists and 191 points.
Twice Bjugstad has represented the United States in the World Championship, in 2013 and ’17. He helped the Americans capture a bronze medal in ’13. Bjugstad also skated in a pair of World Junior Championships for the U.S. in 2011 and ’12. The Americans won bronze in ’11.
Originally drafted by Florida in the first round (19 th overall) in 2010, Bjugstad played three seasons of college hockey at Minnesota before turning pro late in the 2012-13 campaign.
Bjugstad’s father, Scott, was a right wing for the Penguins in 1988-99. Scott Bjugstad notched three goals in 24 games with Pittsburgh.
McCann, who stands 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, has eight goals and 18 points in 46 games this year. Last year was the best of his four-year career. He notched career highs across the board with nine goals, 19 assists, 28 points and a plus-11 in 68 games.
The lefthanded-shooting native of Stratford, Ontario has played in 212 career NHL games with the Panthers and Vancouver Canucks, totaling 27 goals and 71 points.
McCann skated for Canada in the 2014 Under-18 World Junior Championship, helping the Canadians win a bronze medal. He played three years of junior hockey with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, where he made the OHL All-Rookie Team in 2012-13.
McCann was originally chosen by the Canucks in the first round (24 th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft.
The Penguins now own five selections in the 2019 NHL Draft:
Round # of Picks
1 1
*4 1
5 1
**7 2
Total 5
*The Penguins own the Buffalo Sabres’ pick. The Sabres’ pick is conditional and could become a third-round pick if certain conditions are met.
**The Pens own the Vegas Golden Knights’ selection in addition to Pittsburgh’s own choice.
Social media is abuzz with reports that the Penguins are making some moves. Josh Yohe, and more, have confirmed that the Pens have traded Derick Brassard and Riley Sheahan to the Florida Panthers for Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann .
No official release from the Pens yet. We'll updated once we see more details.
. Updated. See above.
Images Courtesy of Getty Images.