Trade Overview
In a noteworthy move during last season’s trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild exchanged Marat Khustnutdinov, Jakub Lauko, and a sixth-round pick in 2026 to the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Justin Brazeau. At the time of the trade, Brazeau had accumulated a total of ten goals and ten assists over a span of 57 games with the Bruins. The acquisition was aimed at bolstering the Wild’s scoring depth, especially in the bottom-six forward roles, as Brazeau had previously shown potential by being part of Boston’s second power play unit.
Performance with Minnesota
However, after joining Minnesota, Brazeau’s performance did not meet expectations; he only managed to score one goal and provide one assist over 19 regular season games, and he added a single goal in six playoff matches. Ultimately, he finished his season with a disappointing total of just one goal in 36 games with the Wild and was not offered a new contract at season’s end, leading him into free agency.
New Beginnings with Pittsburgh
In a twist of fate, Brazeau found a new opportunity with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where Kyle Dubas, former General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and now at the helm of the Penguins, signed him. During the preseason, Brazeau played a pivotal role on the second line alongside star center Evgeni Malkin, contributing to a strong showing in the games leading up to the regular season.
Impact on the Season
On opening night, he made an immediate impact by scoring two goals, and he followed that performance with another goal in his second game, helping the Penguins secure a perfect start to the season with a record of 2-0-0. Brazeau’s success so far illustrates his potential to make a significant contribution to his new team’s offensive efforts as he continues to capitalize on his increased playing time in a top-six role.
