GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In hockey, the “Pittsburgh Model” has referred to the Penguins' organizational philosophy of placing themselves in a position to draft generational talents over the years, players such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. But obviously, there's more to roster construction than merely that.
It also means identifying and developing younger, cheaper, complementary players to surround those generational talents with, players such as Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust.
It also means sprinkling in a few veterans either through trade or free agency and giving them perhaps their best chance at winning a Stanley Cup. Derick Brassard certainly fits that bill. And it did with Nick Bonino, among others, before that.
The difference is that Bonino won Cups with Pittsburgh.
Despite what Jim Rutherford was telling me Thursday in the wake of the Derek Grant for Joe Blandisi trade, it remains very much in doubt whether Brassard will be with the Penguins past the Feb. 25 trade deadline.
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