Breaking: Penguins pull Brassard from lineup moments before gametime, trade coming?

This just in, the Pittsburgh Penguins have removed centre Derrick Brassard from their lineup for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, just minutes before puck drop.

Officially, Brassard is out with the always ambiguous “upper body” ailment, but rumors have been swirling for weeks now that Brassard is on the trade block. With him being removed from the lineup so abruptly, could their be a trade in the works?

Again, for what it’s worth, the Penguins have announced that Brassard will miss tonight’s game with an upper body injury and that rookie Teddy Blueger will take his place.

Still… something about this seems fishy…

Brassard, who is 31 years old and slated to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason, has been linked to the Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens in trade chatter in recent weeks. He was, of course, acquired by the Penguins in a three way deal with the Ottawa Senators and Vegas Golden Knights at least year’s trade deadline.