Brunner

[SwissLeaf]

He's called coati over here.

 

[SoupNazi]

Is that a self-portrait?

 

[TatarTangle]

He'll be up and down; against smaller teams he'll do fine but against bigger teams he'll simply get pushed off the puck.

He'll be okay though. Wouldn't want him at $3 million like someone suggested though, $2 million tops.

 

[RedWingsNow*]

Is that a self-portrait?

No silly,
That's Toucan Sam --- The Fruit Loops Bird

Follow Your Nose, It Always Knows.

New nickname for Brunner: Toucan Sam

 

[steafo]

I know it's all hypothetical but how is everyone putting a dollar amount on what you would pay him after such a small sample size.

He could get used to the smaller ice/NHL game and become roughly a ppg player. Or he could just be a Hudler clone. Either way I think it's a bit premature to put a dollar amount on his worth already. Let him play 20 games and then we'll see.

As of right now I see him as an important player on our team with the lack of marginal top 6 talent.

 

[pdd]

He could get used to the smaller ice/NHL game and become roughly a ppg player. Or he could just be a Hudler clone.

This is a hilarious statement, given that Brunner is being given - as a 26yo undrafted UFA - more of a legit top-six shot than Hudler ever had. Meanwhile, Hudler currently carries a PPG average on the season and Flames fans LOVE the guy and the talent level he brings.

 

[ricky0034]

This is a hilarious statement, given that Brunner is being given - as a 26yo undrafted UFA - more of a legit top-six shot than Hudler ever had. Meanwhile,Hudler currently carries a PPG average on the season and Flames fans LOVE the guy and the talent level he brings.

he's literally played 1 game so far this year

 

[kuick]

he's literally played 1 game so far this year

But.. but.. but, he had a secondary assist on the powerplay after JBo had his shot deflected by Stempniak. He's the Flames MVP, will definitely finish over a PPG.

Really cannot fathom eva's love affair with this guy. Skimming the Calgary boards on here, they seem pretty indifferent to Hudler. The only positive posts I saw on there were from none other than eva himself.

 

[pdd]

But.. but.. but, he had a secondary assist on the powerplay after JBo had his shot deflected by Stempniak. He's the Flames MVP, will definitely finish over a PPG.

What I sais wasn't technically incorrect. Also, watch the play; that goal never happens if Hudler doesn't draw the entire Edmonton PK unit over and leave JBo with more empty space than Ford Field during the playoffs.

Really cannot fathom eva's love affair with this guy. Skimming the Calgary boards on here, they seem pretty indifferent to Hudler. The only positive posts I saw on there were from none other than eva himself.

Look at the GDT from the Oilers game.

 

[SoupNazi]

What I sais wasn't technically incorrect.

Not hard to be PPG when you've played one game.

 

[Caspar]

I am sold. I'd posted my doubts after the losses but after last nights show I give it up to Brunner. The guy is legit. Even if he's only a 3rd liner in disguise it is fooling me and I don't care. His presence has brought a spark and vigor that gives the Wings something new. I can tell he's excited, having a ton of fun.

Babcock made a comment about "strong sticks" before the 1st game. Brunner plays with a strong stick, more than you'd imagine from a smaller guy. He is also quick. His talent is unbelievable- catching passes out of the air, getting shots off, cycling beautifully with Z and Franzen. Very hard crisp passes which he can receive just as well. He is gaining confidence every game. The B is not the most physical but he is fast and smart enough to win puck battles like many times last night.

Brunner has potential. To walk right into a role on the top line of the DRW is crazy. Impossible to tell if he scores 50 goals or 25 in a full season. I feel like the sky's the limit as he's adapting on the fly. No way Samuelsson can outwork and take his place. In fact I'm very glad we have Brunner instead of signing Semin for the same position!

 

[the5cats]

I haven't saw the last match but I saw that he got over 18'. Isn't that too much for a rookie? If he's in only for scoring, 1 goal and no assist is not really what you want for a center of the 1st line.
In the stats he is 101th. What are your thoughts about this?

 

[RedMachine87]

I haven't saw the last match but I saw that he got over 18'. Isn't that too much for a rookie? If he's in only for scoring, 1 goal and no assist is not really what you want for a center of the 1st line.
In the stats he is 101th. What are your thoughts about this?

He is playing on our 1a or 1b line, depending on your opinion. That is right around where his minutes should be, especially considering how dangerous Brunner has been. In the NHL you are not going to count on one or two guys for all the offensive production (unless you want to be extremely one dimensional and probably not very good). So it is not unusual, or bad, for a top six forward to play a lot of minutes and only contribute with a point or two. If your team has good depth the scoring will be spread out.

As for Brunner, I'm very happy with the progress I see him making. He was always talented, but you can now see him making adjustments to the speed and physicality of the NHL. That was the question, could he translate his skill to the NHL style? It is looking like the answer to that question is yes.

I was also impressed with the increased intensity on the forecheck from him. He looked like he was just waiting for the puck the first few games. But last night he was helping dig it out and cycle it with Mule and Z. It was also nice to see him score the way he did, by deflecting the puck, since that too hints at his skill level and ability to score in a number of ways.

Now he just needs to get stronger and work on his defensive game (he definitely has a few good mentors to learn from on the wings in that capacity).

 

[Ricelund]

I thought eva's Hudler-fest would end once he signed with the Flames.

But Hudler is PPG after one game!

 

[wingfan]

He is playing on our 1a or 1b line, depending on your opinion. That is right around where his minutes should be, especially considering how dangerous Brunner has been. In the NHL you are not going to count on one or two guys for all the offensive production (unless you want to be extremely one dimensional and probably not very good). So it is not unusual, or bad, for a top six forward to play a lot of minutes and only contribute with a point or two. If your team has good depth the scoring will be spread out.

As for Brunner, I'm very happy with the progress I see him making. He was always talented, but you can now see him making adjustments to the speed and physicality of the NHL. That was the question, could he translate his skill to the NHL style? It is looking like the answer to that question is yes.

I was also impressed with the increased intensity on the forecheck from him. He looked like he was just waiting for the puck the first few games. But last night he was helping dig it out and cycle it with Mule and Z. It was also nice to see him score the way he did, by deflecting the puck, since that too hints at his skill level and ability to score in a number of ways.

Now he just needs to get stronger and work on his defensive game (he definitely has a few good mentors to learn from on the wings in that capacity).

If you watch some of his highlight videos from the NLA, his ability and hand/eye coordination knocking/deflecting some of those pucks into the net is extremely sharp, as it was displayed last night. Unfortunately, he is too skilled to park in front of the net on the power play...

 

[Winger98]

I thought eva's Hudler-fest would end once he signed with the Flames.

But Hudler is PPG after one game!

My ppg matches the number of games I've played, too.

 

[SCBdude]

I haven't saw the last match but I saw that he got over 18'. Isn't that too much for a rookie? If he's in only for scoring, 1 goal and no assist is not really what you want for a center of the 1st line.
In the stats he is 101th. What are your thoughts about this?

Brunner plays winger not center

 

[tfong]

Just for the record, Hudler was not MVP in his one game debut. He was solid with Cervenka but no MVP Curiously enough it was Jbo that night.

Pro rated I think Hudler goes 50-60 points over the course of an 82 game season.

 

[mindfly]

How much media-coverage is it on Brunner in his native Switzerland? Where does he rank among current swiss players as far as general concensus?

 

[SwissGrog]

How much media-coverage is it on Brunner in his native Switzerland? Where does he rank among current swiss players as far as general concensus?

Since we have some players scattered between more teams, there is always a short coverage every day with the results of all the swiss players, even in the AHL (like for Niederreiter). At the moment Brunner is among the most covered, since he is one of the few forwards that ever managed to reach the NHL, and our top forward scorer (also without counting Diaz, Streit, Josi, and all the defensman) was Patrick Fischer (Phoenix 06-07) with 4 goals (10 points), so Brunner is bound to reach and top him very soon. But still there are many coverage of Streit (first swiss NHL captain) and of Diaz, that at the moment is probably the best swiss player in the NHL.

 

[doubleaxes]

Hi to wings fans, a bit long but...

As this thread is about Brunner its good to know a bit more about him pre NHL.

BRUNNER is an atypical case in Swiss hockey in relation with NHL.

I like him because he had a hard start and fights now for a place where he thinks he belongs.

Not the first time in his career.

When he was 19 he was moved to a tier3 team by KLOTEN FLYERS where he was then playing at Junior Elite level. Later went back to FLYERS's NLA team for 2 seasons with poor 25Pts in 104 games. After 12 games and zero points in the third he was moved again to 2ND tier league where he just played 3 games and the same season bounced back to ZUG in NLA, brought in by DOUG SHEDDEN.There he really started to improve. That first rest of season he scored 26 pts in 35 games and 5 in 10 in PO.

The second season 09/10 he scored 68 pts in 60 games and had his first call with the National Team.

Brunner never player NT at junior level. The reason he was never drafted.

His seasons 10/11 and 11/12 he finished at a total 102GA/128PTS (17/22 in PO) respectively 8th and 1st top scorer.
Lock-out numbers with Z and Omark are also credit to RAFAEL DIAZ's assists and being in strong PP team.

End of 10/11 season he was scouted by MINNESOTA, real interest started to rise after WC.(7/7)

His first touch of a NHL team was in preseason 11/12 when ZUG gave the NYR (except Byron, with full roster) their only loss (8:4) in last NHL CHALLENGE game of heavy Euro tour(4games in 5 days). Rangers will win Stanley cup that year. Brunner scored 1. NY defense looked bit lost on big ice against a offensive team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QNbDpKrprw


Generally the NHL media coverage in European countries is proportional to the number of players that country has and their results. WINGS,HABS,DUCKS,ISLANDERS,PREDS,have most coverage in CH. Hockey webs covers Swiss players in Major Juniors also.
NHL sure is rising also due to actually having seen playing, in vivo, many big names, due to lockout.
As a EHCBiel fan I will always be interested in KANE AND SEGUIN's results till they come back

As for Brunner, in forums, he went from almost public enemy(except for ZUG fans o.c.) to just another Swiss in NA. Opinions are like divided, in that he will succeed or not. His start surprised everybody and the sceptics but like all good sceptics their scepticism is lingering.

I'll give that guy credit. Wait and see.

IMO there IS a financial side to all this: SWISS top players trying their luck in NA are of two kinds:

- guys going through NA drafts (Streit ,Gerber,Hiller,Bärtschi,Nino,Weber,Sbisa, and the new generation now in JUNIORS.) all have the NHL fever. Means they are ready to SACRIFICE to succeed.

- Scouted players (Diaz,Brunner,Ambühl,Von Arx, and others..)

The second type make very good money at home before leaving (Taxes in some area like Zug are very low compared to NA). A 900K first contract is, once taxes are off (about half), similar to what BRUNNER makes net at home and sure less of what he could do in KHL.
Swiss league has highest net salaries in Europe after KHL. Not for nothing the league hosted 24 lockout players even if they were mostly paid by donors.

So BRUNNER either hits it and is a top six,seven or eight or he probably comes back or goes to KHL. I cannot see him in AHL were he would have lots of time during long bus rides to think about his quality of life and his salary back home.

Obviously not the situation now but my point is: DOES DB have enough NHL fever at 27 to go through a dark period of time if that happens. The history of scouted Swiss players in NA says no. But Brunner is Brunner and none of the others had his numbers at home not by far.
Plus, none were friend of Z.

 

[nik jr]

He's called coati over here.

coati the animal? why?

 

[Run the Jewels]

coati the animal? why?

It's gotta be the nose.

 

[JPE123]

Doubleaxes- Thanks for the insight. I think he is definitely a top six potential and possibly a 30 goal scorer. What I've seen so far he has good puck instincts, and good at being open. Playing with Z and Pav helps him a lot. Two very good mentors for a new guy. Hope it works out for him and us.

 

[chokei]

It's gotta be the nose.

In german that animal is called "Nasenbär", literally translated to english that would be "nosebear". There you go!

Regarding DBs chances for success in the NHL: If not he, I don't know which player in the Swiss league would have the needed guts to make it to the NHL. He is given the chance and with his background, I can't imagine he will miss out on that.