Avalanche adds veteran help at deadline

Not content to sit idly by and let the trade deadline come and go like they did last year (at least at the NHL level), the Avalanche dipped their toe in the trade waters by acquiring Derick Brassard from the Florida Panthers.

The Avalanche also acquired a sixth-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft if Brassard does not re-sign with Colorado. In exchange, Colorado sent their third-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft to Florida.

Brassard is expected to make his Avalanche debut tonight…against the Panthers. The 31-year-old forward has seen the shine come off significantly this year after being a deadline acquisition of the Pittsburgh Penguins last year. It’s easy to blame age on the decreased effectiveness of Brassard as he accumulated just 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 40 games for the Penguins.

Brassard was dealt to Florida earlier this season and played in 10 games with the Panthers, totally four points (one goal, three assists). The combination of modest numbers, advanced age, and pending unrestricted free agency help explain the relatively cheap cost of the deal.

There are legitimate question marks about Brassard’s effectiveness as a player these days as his on-ice results have cratered as well as his production.

While he certainly won’t be the high 50-point guy he was with the Rangers a few years ago, there are some reasons for optimism. I’ve talked to a few people around the Pens about Brassard’s year and the vibe was Brassard was miserable in his role and was looking to get out. On-ice results typically don’t lie, however, and his role in Colorado has not yet been determined.

The Panthers didn’t have him long but everyone had great things to say about him. It seems by all accounts he’s a great guy to have in the locker room and might be a guy who just needed a change of scenery. Only time will tell but here’s Florida coach Bob Boughner talking about Brassard:

https://t.co/F6CBQNHxIw

— Adrian Dater (@adater) February 25, 2019

And, here is how Dater and A.J. summed up the trade, along with other thoughts on the deadline:

https://t.co/SgrsPHf7lQ

— Adrian Dater (@adater) February 25, 2019