RELATED: [2018-19 NHL Trade Tracker]
The Avalanche also received a conditional sixth-round pick in 2020. If Brassard re-signs with Colorado, Florida will retain the sixth-round pick.
Brassard, who is in the final season of a five-year contract he signed with the New York Rangers on July 27, 2014, and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, made his Avalanche debut against the Panthers on Monday, playing left wing on a line with center Tyson Jost and Matt Calvert.
The 31-year-old forward had 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 50 games this season with the Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
"He's got a lot of experience, he's a versatile player, he's got skill, is a real smart two-way player," Colorado general manager Joe Sakic said. "He can play center, left wing, penalty kill, power play, he can go up and down the lineup. There's a lot of options with him. We're really excited to have him on board. We really think he's going to help with his experience with some of our younger kids. We can put him anywhere."
Brassard started the morning skate with Florida.
"I mean, I think I was on the ice for literally 10 seconds," Brassard said. "I looked at my phone, put up my stuff, and I think the Zamboni was still on the ice and I went for a little tour, and they pulled me off the ice. As soon as the trade was official, I just basically went down the tunnel here and I was with my new team."
Sakic said forward Matt Nieto will be out 6-8 weeks with a lower-body injury sustained in a 5-3 win at the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 22, adding Nieto's injury was not the reason they traded for Brassard.
"We just decided we want to give this team a shot in the arm," Sakic said. "We'd like to make the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs, and this group deserves a chance for a little boost to try and help us get there."lp with his experience with some of our younger kids. We can put him anywhere."
The Avalanche (27-24-11) are one point behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.
"I'm really excited to be here and trying to do my best to help this team," Brassard said. "We're in a tight playoff push right now, and I feel like I can help this team."
Brassard had four points (one goal, three assists) in 10 games after being acquired by the Panthers in a trade from the Penguins on Feb. 1.
"Real coachable. Real likeable. Very skilled," Florida coach Bob Boughner said of Brassard. "They'll love him here."
Selected No. 6 by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2006 NHL Draft, Brassard has 447 points (172 goals, 275 assists) in 766 regular-season games with the Panthers, Penguins, Rangers, Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators. He has 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 90 NHL playoff games.
Brassard was traded to the Penguins from the Senators on Feb. 23, 2018, prior to the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline. He had eight points (three goals, five assists) in 14 games after the trade and four points (one goal, three assists) in 12 playoff games.
The Panthers (27-25-8) are 10 points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference.
NHL.com correspondent Rick Sadowski contributed to this report
