Trade Rumors Swirl as Penguins Could Look to Move Their Breakout Forward

The Pittsburgh Penguins' 6-2-0 beginning has been driven in part by one of its newest members, right winger Justin Brazeau.

Inked on July 1 following a year in which he spent time with Boston and Minnesota, the 27-year-old has not wasted much time leaving his mark in Pittsburgh.

Following a 22-point performance in 76 games last season, Brazeau already has five goals and eight points in eight games, with a point in five of them.

Amazingly, Brazeau is second on the Penguins in goals and is tied for third in points behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, while averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time per game.

His mix of scoring, physicality, and energy has been an early-season revelation for GM and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas, who inked him to a two-year, $1.5 million contract.

That blistering beginning, though, poses an interesting conundrum. Without trade protection, Brazeau becomes an intriguing trade chip if Pittsburgh is considering the future.

His stature (6-foot-6, 232 pounds), offensive production, and physicality have afforded Dubas a chance to either keep him and sign him down the road to an extension as a value member of the emerging core or trade him while his stock is on the rise, in case it ever levels off.

If Brazeau continues at his current rate, the Penguins will have a win-win choice: retain him as a long-term contributor or deal him at peak value.

In either case, Brazeau's breakout has been one of the most pleasant early-season surprises in Pittsburgh.