Derick Brassard

[GAGLine]

It's not just that I'm not high on Brassard. Acquiring him, and these deals in general, feels like familiar territory. How many times is this team going to undergo these significant changes? How many years is it going to take before this process is over?This is season 8 of post-lockout Sather. I don't think I'm being unreasonable when I say this year is not "the year." Is it going to take 9 years? Is it going to take 10 years? 12? 15? How long of a period of failure is it going to take before the team decides that this method of teambuilding isn't conducive to sustained legitimate success?

Is it ever over? For any team?

Look at LA last year. They traded for Richards in the summer and were mediocre at best. Then they made the big deal for Carter at the deadline and they took off. They made significant changes and it worked out. Pittsburgh is always looking for a winger to play with Sid. They traded Jordan Staal in the summer. They added Iginla, Murray, Morrow. That's a lot of turnover too. The flyers are always looking for a goalie and defense. They go through goalies like we go through star forwards. They traded both Richards and Carter in the same offseason.

I agree with you that the constant turnover is a problem, but until we manage to develop elite scoring talent ourselves, there's really nothing we can do but hope that eventually we will get the right guys and everything will come together at the same time. We both know that the Rangers will never do a full rebuild, so unless we can find that hidden gem that becomes an elite player, we'll have to continue to poach them from other teams.

As much as I don't like the turnover, I can at least appreciate the fact that the team is willing and able to make changes and do eveything they think is necessary to build a winner. Maybe their approach isn't the best, but they gotta get points for trying. I'm no Sather apologist and I won't be sad to see him go, but I think Gorton and Clark know what they are doing. Sometimes things don't work out as planned.

 

[Calad]

Is it ever over? For any team?

Look at LA last year. They traded for Richards in the summer and were mediocre at best. Then they made the big deal for Carter at the deadline and they took off. They made significant changes and it worked out. Pittsburgh is always looking for a winger to play with Sid. They traded Jordan Staal in the summer. They added Iginla, Murray, Morrow. That's a lot of turnover too. The flyers are always looking for a goalie and defense. They go through goalies like we go through star forwards. They traded both Richards and Carter in the same offseason.

I agree with you that the constant turnover is a problem, but until we manage to develop elite scoring talent ourselves, there's really nothing we can do but hope that eventually we will get the right guys and everything will come together at the same time. We both know that the Rangers will never do a full rebuild, so unless we can find that hidden gem that becomes an elite player, we'll have to continue to poach them from other teams.

As much as I don't like the turnover, I can at least appreciate the fact that the team is willing and able to make changes and do eveything they think is necessary to build a winner. Maybe their approach isn't the best, but they gotta get points for trying. I'm no Sather apologist and I won't be sad to see him go, but I think Gorton and Clark know what they are doing. Sometimes things don't work out as planned.

Nailed it

 

[ChrisKreider20]

Derick Brassard
Prospect Grade: 8.0 B
(Click Here for info on Prospect Grades)

History

Brassard was originally selected by the Drummondville Voltiguers in the second round of the 2003 QMJHL Midget Draft, 18th overall. Though he did not make the Drummondville out of camp his first season, only appearing in ten games in a limited role towards the end of the season, Brassard would make a big impact upon his arrival the following season. Spending much of his time alternating between the first and second lines during his first full season, Brassard was a key contributor, compiling 76 points in 69 games, playing an important offensive role alongside Montreal prospect Guillaume Latendresse during much of the season. His dominant play in his rookie season was an integral factor in his being one of seven QMJHL players to be selected to Canada’s under-18 squad.
Had he been born but a few days earlier, his rookie season would have been his draft year, however, that was not the case. Brassard came back even better in his sophomore season, looking to better his stock, and seizing the role as one of Drummondville’s top offensive players and team leaders. He was a valuable part of the squad early on, carrying the team offensively in the first several games of the season while Latendresse was battling for a spot in Montreal, but was slowed mid-season with a wrist injury, but was able to bounce back without missing a beat. While Brassard did not garner a roster spot on Canada’s World Junior team, he did get to play in the two games for Team QMJHL against the Russian Selects in November, posting multi-point efforts in both games. When all was said and done, Brassard trumped his rookie point total by a large margin, picking up 116 points in only 58 games, good enough for seventh in the league, and most among first-year eligible players. He also worked on his defensive play in the off-season, and now carries a very respectable two-way game, as has been shown in his skyrocketing draft stock.

Read HF's article on Derick Brassard.



Talent Analysis

Brassard had perhaps the greatest on-ice vision in his draft class. Brassard is a dynamite playmaker, well aware of his surroundings, and able to dispense lightning-quick, accurate passes at will. He also has good drive towards the net and a great wrist shot. His skating is not overly quick, but the slight Brassard is very agile. Brassard is not a very physical fore-checker but is more than willing to pay the price in order to complete a pass. His face-off work could use a bit more work, though, and he could stand to add a bit of muscle to make him tougher to move off the puck.

Future

Brassard is a great playmaking center, in a year filled with such players. He has proven that he can elevate his play when the situation is dire, and has played big in big games in the past. He projects to be a solid first-line centerman.

Stats

Stats Coming Soon!



Profile Last Updated: April, 15th 2007


Interesting read.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Is it ever over? For any team?

Look at LA last year. They traded for Richards in the summer and were mediocre at best. Then they made the big deal for Carter at the deadline and they took off. They made significant changes and it worked out. Pittsburgh is always looking for a winger to play with Sid. They traded Jordan Staal in the summer. They added Iginla, Murray, Morrow. That's a lot of turnover too. The flyers are always looking for a goalie and defense. They go through goalies like we go through star forwards. They traded both Richards and Carter in the same offseason.

I agree with you that the constant turnover is a problem, but until we manage to develop elite scoring talent ourselves, there's really nothing we can do but hope that eventually we will get the right guys and everything will come together at the same time. We both know that the Rangers will never do a full rebuild, so unless we can find that hidden gem that becomes an elite player, we'll have to continue to poach them from other teams.

As much as I don't like the turnover, I can at least appreciate the fact that the team is willing and able to make changes and do eveything they think is necessary to build a winner. Maybe their approach isn't the best, but they gotta get points for trying. I'm no Sather apologist and I won't be sad to see him go, but I think Gorton and Clark know what they are doing. Sometimes things don't work out as planned.

Let's hope that, once again, a trade with the Blue Jackets sends the eventual Cup winner on their way.

 

[3rd Guy High]

I've said it before, but this guy is real crafty player. He makes some real nice passes, but there's plenty of more plays he makes that go unnoticed. One such play I remember was him dekeing and stickhandling around a forechecker in the defensive zone and skating it straight out rather than just chipping it out to the other team which you very rarely see on this team unless there's an obvious open lane in front of them.

You know what they say, the other team can't score when you have the puck. I know its not Torts hockey but if torts can give him some slack as long as he's not giving the puck away it adds an entire new dimension to our team and especially our 3rd line. He's a puck possession player. We don't have a lot of those.

Put him with someone that can consistently finish on the 3rd line and I have a feeling we're going to be surprised.

 

[LeetchisGod]

I've said it before, but this guy is real crafty player. He makes some real nice passes, but there's plenty of more plays he makes that go unnoticed. One such play I remember was him dekeing and stickhandling around a forechecker in the defensive zone and skating it straight out rather than just chipping it out to the other team which you very rarely see on this team unless there's an obvious open lane in front of them.

You know what they say, the other team can't score when you have the puck. I know its not Torts hockey but if torts can give him some slack as long as he's not giving the puck away it adds an entire new dimension to our team and especially our 3rd line. He's a puck possession player. We don't have a lot of those.

Put him with someone that can consistently finish on the 3rd line and I have a feeling we're going to be surprised.

This. I want Kreider on his line next year.

 

[3rd Guy High]

This. I want Kreider on his line next year.

I think he would work well with Kreider. Kreider is the type of player that thrives by getting open and getting a shot off really fast, sort of like Gabby. Ironically enough, I think Brass would have been a perfect fit for Gabby.

 

[HonestGabe]

When Kreider is back up whether it be this year or next year, I'd like to see him on a line with Brassard and Dorsett. That would be a good, solid 3rd line with size, grit, skill, speed and tenacity. Then put Richards with Clowe and Cally and put Hags with Nash and Step.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Played another solid game. Had a bad turnover on the PP, but other than that, I don't see the criticism of his decision making. He's played a solid, smart game thus far*.

*The caveat here. Only played two games. Like what I've seen, though.

 

[LeetchisGod]

When Kreider is back up whether it be this year or next year, I'd like to see him on a line with Brassard and Dorsett. That would be a good, solid 3rd line with size, grit, skill, speed and tenacity. Then put Richards with Clowe and Cally and put Hags with Nash and Step.

I like it.

 

[5 4 Fighting]

Loving this guy, he is going to thrive here, I just feel it. Going to be a very underrated player throughout the league. Very smart,creative guy who knows who to pass to.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Brass wasn't rushed, but the shoulder injury really hampered his development. He returned to Drummondville following being drafted, then spend a season in the AHL putting up good numbers.

The next season he started out incredibly strong (25 points in 31 games) but his season was cut short after the fight with James Neal. He was in the running for the Calder and was rookie of the month for two straight months. After that, he was less aggressive.

He's never going to be the type of player that a defense-first, hard checking coach like Hitch was going to like. His trips to the dog-house have been well-deserved, and he has never responded very well to being scratched.

Brass was also very notable for being Mike Commodore's little buddy during Commy's time in Columbus.

The coaching carousel in Columbus hasn't helped, but Brass seems to play well for certain coaches and have difficulties with others. During the lockout, he and Dorse went to play for Salzburg EC, and then left abruptly. Salzburg's coach is Pierre Pagé, so no big surprise. Brass played the best for Claude Noël and Guy Boucher in the Q, so he works best with player-friendly coaches. Not sure how that will work in NY, but he needs mature. This is a terrific opportunity for him.

Funny, I knew that.

I guess what I meant was more along the lines of his expectations being a bit high and the organization wanting big things from him as soon as he got there.

He does need to mature, he seems like a bit of a sensitive guy. Hopefully being in NY with a few familiar faces, and having an opportunity to succeed is just what he needs. Torts can go either way honestly, he actually knows how to handle people. I think he may be a bit of a sociopath haha. He is a loud abrasive guy and he can seem really tough, but on the flip side he knows when it's too much (sometimes).

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

It's weird having 3 lines that can all create chances and score. That game could have easily gotten out of hand for Pittsburgh last night, MAF was fantastic. Brassard add's depth that I don't remember this team having for a long time. Seems like he's developed some chemistry with Hags which is really cool to see.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

When Kreider is back up whether it be this year or next year, I'd like to see him on a line with Brassard and Dorsett. That would be a good, solid 3rd line with size, grit, skill, speed and tenacity. Then put Richards with Clowe and Cally and put Hags with Nash and Step.

Why would you demote Zuccarello? He's the first player all year to get Richards going.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

It's weird having 3 lines that can all create chances and score. That game could have easily gotten out of hand for Pittsburgh last night, MAF was fantastic. Brassard add's depth that I don't remember this team having for a long time. Seems like he's developed some chemistry with Hags which is really cool to see.

Still don't like having Boyle on the 3rd line.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Man, I feel confident about this guy being on the Rangers. I liked a lot of what I saw of him. Should I take the risk and let my brother bring me a Brassard jersey? Difficult... I was thinking of Stepan, but man, Brassard just has something... Can't put my finger on it

 

[Tawnos]

It's weird having 3 lines that can all create chances and score. That game could have easily gotten out of hand for Pittsburgh last night, MAF was fantastic. Brassard add's depth that I don't remember this team having for a long time. Seems like he's developed some chemistry with Hags which is really cool to see.

It seems like longer, but it was only a year ago

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

It seems like longer, but it was only a year ago

Well, not really. Our secondary players did not create as much as we needed. The Devils series proved that. While they had 4 lines getting points on the board and we only had our 2 top lines.

Hagelin-Richards-Gaborik
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan
Anisimov-Boyle-Prust
Rupp-Mitchell-Fedotenko

When I look at the lines we have now, I feel more comfortable, mainly because Richards gets back to his old self now with Clowe and Zuccarello (although it's still early) and the Nash-line is almost a guarantee for a goal. Brassard makes Hagelin and Boyle better and the 4th line has energy in Powe and Asham. Pyatt has picked up his game a bit lately as well.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Well, not really. Our secondary players did not create as much as we needed. The Devils series proved that.

One single series couldn't prove that. not even saying you're wrong I don't think we had THAAAAT much scoring depth but more than the devs series is needed to prove that

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

One single series couldn't prove that. not even saying you're wrong I don't think we had THAAAAT much scoring depth but more than the devs series is needed to prove that

Okay. What about the fact that of our 3rd and 4th line, only Boyle (3), Anisimov (3), Fedotenko (2) and Prust (1) scored for us. That's only 9 goals of our total 43 in the play-offs. That's just not enough. That's only 20% of our total scoring coming from our 3rd and 4th line. I feel more confident with this team we have. Time will tell, but we have a much more balanced team.

 

[Nyrvana]

I LOVE this guys vision. He's like a 3rd line version of Stepan. Now if we could just get Boyle off his wing and replace him with someone that could put the puck in the net.

 

[Championship*]

I LOVE this guys vision. He's like a 3rd line version of Stepan. Now if we could just get Boyle off his wing and replace him with someone that could put the puck in the net.

Maybe if Torts would get his head out of his ass and bring up a young New England-er....

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Played another solid game. Had a bad turnover on the PP, but other than that, I don't see the criticism of his decision making. He's played a solid, smart game thus far*.

*The caveat here. Only played two games. Like what I've seen, though.

Neither do I. He does not have a poor hockey IQ no matter what some want to espouse on here (that looks like no more than something made up to suit an agenda).

 

[haohmaru]

Neither do I. He does not have a poor hockey IQ no matter what some want to espouse on here (that looks like no more than something made up to suit an agenda).

I disagreed with that assessment, as well. His "hockey IQ" is just fine.

 

[Kakko]

His only IQ problem is that he keeps passing to Byron