Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Florida/Pittsburgh Trade

02/01/2019 at 12:26pm EST

added 12:30pm,

added 12:42pm, Pittsburgh release is below.

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 (19th 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 (24th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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