Player Discussion Erik Brännström |5'10, 181lbs | Left Handed Defenceman

[JungleBeat]

Brannstrom is good but he is not Erik Karlsson good. He has a lot of the same style but not at Karlsson's level. He is no where near as fast as Karlsson for 1.
A one time NHLer he reminds me of is Kimmo Timonen. Timonen was about the same size and was a really good skater. He put 50+ pts up twice and 40 + a few times. The game is a little different now and its a bit easier going for smaller skilled Dmen. Looking forward to see how he does this year. I expect him to take another step. He should be a standout for Belleville.

Wouldn’t be the worst thing. He would anchor the second pairing.

 

[bert]

Look who is ranked 21st

NHL prospect rankings: Top 50 players in NHL pipelines for 2019-20

Thats a really bad list.

Barrett Hayton is so terrible.... He single handidly derailed canada at the wjc. Anyone that has him over Batherson couldnt identify hockey sense if their life depended on it Dobson so low and Fox that high is an asbolute joke.

If Brannstrom is Timonen that would be incredible.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I get the Timonen comparison from a size and skating perspective but Timonen's 2 years at 50+ plus points were years into his Nhl career which didn't begin until years after his 18 year old season. I didn't look it up but I'm thinking Timonen was 30ish when he put up 50 points. Brannstrom is light years ahead of where Timonen was at 19 and I'll be pretty disappointed if Brannstrom's career doesn't far surpass Timonen's

Probably will. KT played in a different era so its hard to compare stats across from then to now. KT would have likely surpassed KT then as well. I am not sayng they are mirror images just that EB reminds me of him

 

[bert]

Probably will. KT played in a different era so its hard to compare stats across from then to now. KT would have likely surpassed KT then as well. I am not sayng they are mirror images just that EB reminds me of him

From what I have seen Branntsrom has more raw offensive ability, i havent seen the gritt and physicality of timonen.

 

[MatchesMalone]

Wouldn’t be the worst thing. He would anchor the second pairing.

Second pairing? Ummmmm, I'm assuming you're too young to remember Kimmo Timomen? In his prime he was arguably a top ten defenseman in the league. Here's his ice time and team rank from 2000-2009, when he was 25-34.

2000/01: 23:11 (1st)
2001/02: 24:12 (1st)
2002/03: 22:25 (1st)
2003/04: 23:52 (1st)
2005/06: 22:26 (2nd)
2006/07: 21:51 (1st)
2007/08: 23:35 (1st)
2008/09: 24:31 (2nd)

But anyway, I love the comparison. I hadn't thought of Timonen, but that's exactly the kind of player I had in mind for Brännström.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

I see a bit of Timonen for sure but he kind of reminds me of a peak Dan Boyle. And Brian Rafalski a little bit.

 

[Micklebot]

Second pairing? Ummmmm, I'm assuming you're too young to remember Kimmo Timomen? In his prime he was arguably a top ten defenseman in the league. Here's his ice time and team rank from 2000-2009, when he was 25-34.

2000/01: 23:11 (1st)
2001/02: 24:12 (1st)
2002/03: 22:25 (1st)
2003/04: 23:52 (1st)
2005/06: 22:26 (2nd)
2006/07: 21:51 (1st)
2007/08: 23:35 (1st)
2008/09: 24:31 (2nd)

But anyway, I love the comparison. I hadn't thought of Timonen, but that's exactly the kind of player I had in mind for Brännström.

I think he just means because we have Chabot, he would be the lead guy on another pair. The way we had Redden and Chara apart or Anahiem had Pronger and Niedermayer.

 

[MatchesMalone]

I think he just means because we have Chabot, he would be the lead guy on another pair. The way we had Redden and Chara apart or Anahiem had Pronger and Niedermayer.

Ah. Yeah that's reasonable then.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

I see a bit of Timonen for sure but he kind of reminds me of a peak Dan Boyle. And Brian Rafalski a little bit.

I wouldn't compare him to Rafalski or Boyle just yet. I haven't seen him run a PP like those two who were some of the best we've ever seen in that regard. That's what I want him to work on most in Belleville this year. True point man, running his own unit. Would be nice to have him at the top of a unit with Chabot being a rover.

 

[MatchesMalone]

Thats a really bad list.

Barrett Hayton is so terrible.... He single handidly derailed canada at the wjc. Anyone that has him over Batherson couldnt identify hockey sense if their life depended on it Dobson so low and Fox that high is an asbolute joke.

... were we watching two different World Juniors? I thought Hayton was a beast. One of the only good players on that team.

 

[PuckLife]

... were we watching two different World Juniors? I thought Hayton was a beast. One of the only good players on that team.

Agree. Our Soo boys showed really well.

 

[bert]

... were we watching two different World Juniors? I thought Hayton was a beast. One of the only good players on that team.

Tunnel vision, rendered his line usesless never used his teammates. Always made the extra move and never let the puck do the work. He clearly has good individual skill but the second line never scored after the first game and he was the reason why.

Agree. Our Soo boys showed really well.

Yeah Frost was unreal, but rendered useless as the tournament went on and Hayton wouldnt pass to him.

 

[PuckLife]

Tunnel vision, rendered his line usesless never used his teammates. Always made the extra move and never let the puck do the work. He clearly has good individual skill but the second line never scored after the first game and he was the reason why.



Yeah Frost was unreal, but rendered useless as the tournament went on and Hayton wouldnt pass to him.

We were watching different games buddy. Hayton was awesome and made lots of unreal plays.

 

[MatchesMalone]

Thats a really bad list.

Barrett Hayton is so terrible.... He single handidly derailed canada at the wjc. Anyone that has him over Batherson couldnt identify hockey sense if their life depended on it.

K the reason I really think you were out to lunch for that tournament is because you say he single-handedly derailed the team. I thought pretty much the exact opposite, that the team was terrible throughout and he was one of the lone bright stars. The whole team was poorly chosen and horrendously coached. Here was my analysis on Hayton after the World Juniors,

"Barrett Hayton was easily Canada's best, most consistent player from start to finish. Based on his stats in the OHL, I didn't get why Arizona picked him as high as they did. Now it is blatantly clear. Kid is going to be special. Forget the obvious skill. I mean, his skill-level is ridiculous, but what really struck me was his active stick, feet, and mind without the puck. He's got quick hands and he's crafty, dedicated, and absolutely never gives up on a play. Reminded me of Hossa at time in how he knows how to position himself and play the body in such a way as to separate the opposing puck-carrier from the puck. He also has some of that Datsyuk/Stone in his game, in the way that just when it looks like his team has lost possession and are ready to transition, suddenly he finds a way to get his stick on a puck. Dunno if he'll have the hockey IQ to be able to do what Hossa/Datsyuk/Stone do at the highest level, but his stick is always active, in lanes, on sticks, on pucks, constantly disrupting opponents' transition and creating opportunities for turnovers."

 

[PuckLife]

K the reason I really think you were out to lunch for that tournament is because you say he single-handedly derailed the team. I thought pretty much the exact opposite, that the team was terrible throughout and he was one of the lone bright stars. The whole team was poorly chosen and horrendously coached. Here was my analysis on Hayton after the World Juniors,

"Barrett Hayton was easily Canada's best, most consistent player from start to finish. Based on his stats in the OHL, I didn't get why Arizona picked him as high as they did. Now it is blatantly clear. Kid is going to be special. Forget the obvious skill. I mean, his skill-level is ridiculous, but what really struck me was his active stick, feet, and mind without the puck. He's got quick hands and he's crafty, dedicated, and absolutely never gives up on a play. Reminded me of Hossa at time in how he knows how to position himself and play the body in such a way as to separate the opposing puck-carrier from the puck. He also has some of that Datsyuk/Stone in his game, in the way that just when it looks like his team has lost possession and are ready to transition, suddenly he finds a way to get his stick on a puck. Dunno if he'll have the hockey IQ to be able to do what Hossa/Datsyuk/Stone do at the highest level, but his stick is always active, in lanes, on sticks, on pucks, constantly disrupting opponents' transition and creating opportunities for turnovers."

Yep - that’s what I saw. Though I couldn’t say it that way. Great post.

 

[bert]

We were watching different games buddy. Hayton was awesome and made lots of unreal plays.

Go read the Hayton thread on the prospects board I wasnt the only one. Lots and lots of people shared the same opinion same as the people I watched the WJC with who are all players that played at a high level for the most part.

K the reason I really think you were out to lunch for that tournament is because you say he single-handedly derailed the team. I thought pretty much the exact opposite, that the team was terrible throughout and he was one of the lone bright stars. The whole team was poorly chosen and horrendously coached. Here was my analysis on Hayton after the World Juniors,

"Barrett Hayton was easily Canada's best, most consistent player from start to finish. Based on his stats in the OHL, I didn't get why Arizona picked him as high as they did. Now it is blatantly clear. Kid is going to be special. Forget the obvious skill. I mean, his skill-level is ridiculous, but what really struck me was his active stick, feet, and mind without the puck. He's got quick hands and he's crafty, dedicated, and absolutely never gives up on a play. Reminded me of Hossa at time in how he knows how to position himself and play the body in such a way as to separate the opposing puck-carrier from the puck. He also has some of that Datsyuk/Stone in his game, in the way that just when it looks like his team has lost possession and are ready to transition, suddenly he finds a way to get his stick on a puck. Dunno if he'll have the hockey IQ to be able to do what Hossa/Datsyuk/Stone do at the highest level, but his stick is always active, in lanes, on sticks, on pucks, constantly disrupting opponents' transition and creating opportunities for turnovers."

I dont dissagree with his individual play with the puck or his defensive ability but he still didnt pass the puck or use his teammates. Stone and Datsyuk couldnt be any more different from an offensive stand point.

If anything his game is similar to Mike Fishers. Lots of raw ability, good skater, fast hands, doesn't see the ice and tries to do too much on his own.

 

[jhutter]

The Stone trade is going to end up being fairly disappointing. Brannstrom needs to turn into a semi-superstar for the trade to even make sense. Kimmo Timmonen doesn't cut it. I just don't see him developing into a player that even approaches Stone, and think that a lot of the hype within the Sens community is unfounded and a product of wishful thinking.

Hope I'm wrong, and luckily I usually am

 

[JD1]

2 years from now Brannstrom is in the middle of posting his first 50 point season and is rising. Stone is in the middle of his first season of noticeable decline. Stone has an 8 year deal. I'm thinking contracts aside, Ottawa has the more valuable player for 5 of those 8 years.

 

[Micklebot]

2 years from now Brannstrom is in the middle of posting his first 50 point season and is rising. Stone is in the middle of his first season of noticeable decline. Stone has an 8 year deal. I'm thinking contracts aside, Ottawa has the more valuable player for 5 of those 8 years.

2 years from now, Brannstrom will have completed his 21 year old season and about to start his 22 year old season, only 3 dmen have hit 50 pts since the 04-05 lockout by the age of 21. Even expanding the age to include his 22 year old season it's only 7 dman who have put up 50+ pts. I hope you're right, but that seems like a very aggressive timetable for a kid that isn't even guaranteed to be in the lineup this year.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

2 years from now Brannstrom is in the middle of posting his first 50 point season and is rising. Stone is in the middle of his first season of noticeable decline. Stone has an 8 year deal. I'm thinking contracts aside, Ottawa has the more valuable player for 5 of those 8 years.

What are this weekend's lottery numbers?

 

[DaveMatthew]

2 years from now Brannstrom is in the middle of posting his first 50 point season and is rising. Stone is in the middle of his first season of noticeable decline. Stone has an 8 year deal. I'm thinking contracts aside, Ottawa has the more valuable player for 5 of those 8 years.

Maybe.

Or, 2 years from now, Stone is a 29 year old top line forward (and probably captain) of a cup contending team while Erik Brannstrom is playing sheltered ES minutes while being a PP specialist.

Ottawa could just as easily have given up an established star for a player who'll never make an impact.

 

[Sensmileletsgo]

The Stone trade is going to end up being fairly disappointing. Brannstrom needs to turn into a semi-superstar for the trade to even make sense. Kimmo Timmonen doesn't cut it. I just don't see him developing into a player that even approaches Stone, and think that a lot of the hype within the Sens community is unfounded and a product of wishful thinking.

Hope I'm wrong, and luckily I usually am

Yup I think almost all Sens fans think this although we are all hoping for the best with Brannstrom. Anytime you are trading away a superstar who no longer wants to play for your team, like was the case for EK and Stone, the trade almost always ends up poorly for your team.

 

[jhutter]

Yup I think almost all Sens fans think this although we are all hoping for the best with Brannstrom. Anytime you are trading away a superstar who no longer wants to play for your team, like was the case for EK and Stone, the trade almost always ends up poorly for your team.

No longer wants to play for the team or ownership no longer wants the player to play for the team? I have a feeling that if the Ottawa Senators had normal ownership and management, 65 and 61 are still Senators.

 

[JD1]

2 years from now, Brannstrom will have completed his 21 year old season and about to start his 22 year old season, only 3 dmen have hit 50 pts since the 04-05 lockout by the age of 21. Even expanding the age to include his 22 year old season it's only 7 dman who have put up 50+ pts. I hope you're right, but that seems like a very aggressive timetable for a kid that isn't even guaranteed to be in the lineup this year.

I mean in the 3rd season from now.... drop of puck in that 3rd season.

 

[JD1]

2 years from now, Brannstrom will have completed his 21 year old season and about to start his 22 year old season, only 3 dmen have hit 50 pts since the 04-05 lockout by the age of 21. Even expanding the age to include his 22 year old season it's only 7 dman who have put up 50+ pts. I hope you're right, but that seems like a very aggressive timetable for a kid that isn't even guaranteed to be in the lineup this year.

I think this will he interesting to watch. At the conclusion of 3 seasons from now, Stone will have 5 years left on his deal. And I think Brannstrom will have established himself firmly as a point producing D man and Stone will be declining. It'll be interesting to see when / if Brannstrom establishes himself as the more valuable player