Former Penguin Derek Brassard announces retirement

Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Derick Brassard retired, formally ending a mostly productive 16-year career in the NHL.

The 36-year-old revealed his decision to step away from the game to Quebec outlet La Presse on Sunday. A native of Hull, Quebec, Brassard last played during the 2022-23 season with the Ottawa Senators and sat out the 202324 campaign because of an ankle injury.

Brassard spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins in 201718 and 2019-20.

Former Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford swung a major three-team blockbuster trade Feb. 23, 2018, to acquire Brassard from the Senators (the Las Vegas Golden Knights also were involved in the transaction).

As the Penguins were attempting to three-peat as Stanley Cup champions, management had designs for Brassard — typically a top-six forward — to serve as their third-line center behind franchise pillars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Those ambitions never were realized, however, as Brassard suffered a groin injury late in the regular season and hobbled into the postseason, where the Penguins were eliminated in the second round by the rival Washington Capitals.

Brassard opened the 2018-19 season as the third-line center but never fully adapted to the role and even was utilized as a top-six winger at times to limited success.

Less than a year after joining the Penguins, Brassard was traded to the Florida Panthers on Feb. 1, 2019.

In 54 regular-season games with the Penguins, Brassard had 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) and averaged 15 minutes of ice time.

A first-round pick (No. 6 overall) in 2016 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Brassard played for 10 teams over his career. In addition to the Penguins, Senators, Blue Jackets and Panthers, Brassard suited up for the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.

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