The surging Pittsburgh Penguins just landed a useful asset ahead of the February 26 trade deadline and they got a lot of help from former Capitals general manager George McPhee.

After the NHL nixed a deal earlier in the evening, the Penguins, Senators and Golden Knights completed a complex three-team trade around 9:30 pm.

The Penguins landed center Derick Brassard, a 2018 third-round draft pick, and prospect forward Vincent Dunn from the Senators and prospect forward Tobias Lindberg from the Golden Knights. Meanwhile, the Senators received goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson, defenseman Ian Cole, and a 2018 first-round pick and a 2019 third-round pick. The Golden Knights got tough guy Ryan Reaves and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick in return. Vegas will also retain 30% of Brassard’s salary even though he will never play a game for them.

According to Sportnet’s John Shannon, who first reported the TJ Oshie extension last summer, the first-place Golden Knights got involved so that Brassard would stay out of the Western Conference.

So my question…why would Vegas take money on Brassard and help Pittsburgh? It appears otherwise, Brassard was heading to a western team, VGK got involved to keep him in the east. As I was told “Better to face him in round 4 than 2.”

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 24, 2018

The team that originally was trying to land Brassard was the Winnipeg Jets.

Am told that western team was Winnipeg https://t.co/RasFxxzDZJ

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 24, 2018

Friday, after the Penguins moved back into first place after a 6-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Jim Rutherford spoke to the press about the deal.

The 69-year-old general manager, who has been a GM in the NHL since 1994-95, called the swap “the most complex trade I’ve made.”

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford on today's trade: "This is the most complex trade I've made. We thought we had the deal made earlier in the day – we had to make a couple changes. There were cap issues and how it was made with the three teams – which moves were first…"

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 24, 2018

Media: "Why did you want Brassard?"

Rutherford: "Why not? [Smiles] Have you seen him play? He's got 18 goals, 38 points. He plays center. We've tried to get more depth at center and more insurance there… What we're trying to do now is win."

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 24, 2018

Over the last four seasons, Brassard has dominated the Penguins in the playoffs, giving the team a close-up look at what they’re acquiring.

In the category of "If you can't beat them"…Brassard has played 4 straight playoff years against the Penguins…2014,2015,2016,2017…he has 15 points in 24 career postseason games vs the Pittsburgh (9 G, 6 A).

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 23, 2018

Need anyone say more??? pic.twitter.com/qjHmh7T2fH

— dad_coach (@dad_jeff) February 24, 2018

The 30-year-old center has one more year remaining on his deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019. According to Cap Friendly, Brassard has a salary cap hit of $5 million but is owed $3.5 million during the final two years of his contract.

The Penguins, who have won the Stanley Cup for the last two seasons, currently lead the Metropolitan Division and are are 8-1-1 in their last ten games. They have won their last six games overall.

More from the Pens:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward Derick Brassard in a three-team trade with the Ottawa Senators and Vegas Golden Knights, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.

The Penguins also received a 2018 third-round draft pick and prospect forward Vincent Dunn from the Senators; and the Pens also received prospect forward Tobias Lindberg from the Golden Knights.

Pittsburgh traded defenseman Ian Cole, goalie Filip Gustavsson, a 2018 first-round draft pick and a 2019 third-round selection to the Senators.

Pittsburgh sent forward Ryan Reaves and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick previously acquired from Vancouver to the Golden Knights. Pittsburgh also received prospect forward Tobias Lindberg from Vegas. The Golden Knights are retaining 40% of Brassard’s contract over the next two seasons.

Brassard is signed through the 2018-19 season, and he carries an average annual value of $5 million.

Brassard, 30, was Ottawa’s fifth-leading scorer this year with 38 points (18G-20A) in 58 games. He is looking to reach 40-plus points for the sixth time in 10 seasons, and exceed 20 goals for the second time. In his last nine games as a Senator before the trade, Brassard had six goals, four assists and 10 points.

Brassard has averaged 19 goals and 48 points over the past five seasons (including this one factored in). Three years ago he had a career-best 27 goals with the New York Rangers.

A 6-foot-1, 202-pound native of Hull, Quebec, Brassard has 55 points (22G-33A) in 78 career postseason contests. He has scored 19 of his 22 playoff goals at even strength. Brassard has double-digit points in four of his five playoff seasons.

Brassard has faced off against the Penguins in each of the last four playoff years, scoring nine goals and 15 points in 24 postseason games against the Penguins.

Brassard was originally a first-round (6th overall) draft pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2006. He has 420 career points (159G-261A) in 702 career regular-season games with Ottawa, the NY Rangers and Columbus.

Brassard has always fared well in Pittsburgh. In 24 career games at PPG Paints Arena, he has seven goals and 17 points (regular season and playoffs).

Lindberg, 22, has eight goals, 10 assists, 18 points and a plus-8 in 48 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves this year. Originally drafted by the Senators in the fourth round (102nd overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft, Lindberg has 25 goals, 43 assists and 68 points with a plus-26 in 148 career AHL contests with Chicago, Binghamton and Toronto. Lindberg stands 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and is a native of Stockholm, Sweden.

Dunn, 22, has split his third professional season between Belleville of the AHL and Brampton of the ECHL. The 6-foot, 190-pound Dunn was chosen by the Senators in the fifth round (138th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft.