I have been really high on this kid since day one holy f*** i hope he pans out. Will be watching him like a hawk over the next few weeks
Not my fave Brann game but it is evident what he brings to the roster. He is quite simply a top 4 d on this team. He got trucked a few times but also made some very good defensive plays.
I feel like DJ is encouraging Brann to play a physical game when it's his elusiveness that makes Brann a good defensive player. Either way he is quite clearly good enough to be a regular.
Brannstrom-Holden would be our 2nd best pairing by far.
Why would DJ encourage a 5'9" small defencemean to play physical when he has said numerous times he is afraid Brann is gonna get killed out there & needs to learn how to avoid hits? By tonight's game it seems he hasn't learned that at all & DJ's concern is quite real. He continues to get dominated defensively at times, it's blatantly obvious, they can't afford that on a regular basis.
I agree Branns showing today fulfilled many of his negative stereotypes and yet he was still valuable and added to the overall poise and cohesiveness of the team. With him we have two pairs who can make plays. Otherwise it's 1/3, inexcusable at the NHL level.
And I just find that Brann was much more physical in the pre-season and even todays game than he was last season. In terms of engaging in physical play, being chippy and collisions. This season its like he has something to prove. I have not seen his AHL games but this seems to be his poorest run of form in his pro career. I do not know what he is being told just what I see on ice.
I think Brann is a d who excels when he keeps his pulse low. But that does not seem to be DJ hockey. Maybe it just isn't to be.
Great poise. A few bad shifts.
A little concerning how often the other team dumps onto his side and tries to run him.
Yeah it was obvious quick that the Bruins were picking on him every single forecheck, he got pasted and lost possession quite a few times.
Not to compare the 2 at all skill-wise, but I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve seen Erik Karlsson take a hit like one of the many Brannstrom took tonight. He had a nice rush up the ice late in the game and the Bruins D just smashed him into the boards at the blue line and they got possession back.
Kind of worrying tbh, this has been a problem for him since he got to Belleville after “the trade.” I love that he’s not afraid of taking a hit and going to the dirty areas, but he’s gonna be on and off the IR his entire career if he can’t figure it out
I want Branny to succeed , he is the underdog player with a nice offensive side that we could use on this team.
I understand everyone's concerns, issues with his size and his play outside of offense.
He is going to get killed and picked on till he makes some major adjustments to his game.
Short-term, I am not a coach , I am not sure what he can do to change things up right away. Maybe a season of letting him get squashed will help. Better than our other options to be honest and atleast he brings some offense.
If Brannstrom wants to live in the NHL he needs to do the following!
He will need to change his game to be a defensive defenseman.
He will need to be positionally strong.
He will need to increase his speed incredibly. I suggest off-season speed skating or figure skating training.
He will need to physically change his body to become stronger from legs up over all. He needs to become a physical monster to absorb the hits he will take.
He will need to understand how to take checks, deliver them and deal with bigger players.
My feeling is that he will need to become workout monster and kill it on his skills to compete in this league.
I don't think Mann can teach this in the AHL, their is so much to work on. He needs to have the desire to take his game to next level and work on his game on his own in the off-season. He needs to bet on himself.
The odds are against him at this point because his offense skills are out weighed by his short comings.
This may seem very negative but I want him to become a star in this league but right now he is on track to become a fringe third paring. He has potential if he can round out his skills, dedication, commitment and desire to play in the NHL.
Our entire team could use to go to the Gary Roberts School of Hard Knox but Branny will need it more than anyone on this team.
Sorry for the long post. I wish him the best and hope to eat my words if I am wrong!
Uggggg
Love Branny but this is my last post on him. He either needs to step up or he will be traded for a Standford type of player next season.
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.jk
I didn’t think the call looked that bad live but man the reverse angle…
Just a toe pick
I didn’t think the call looked that bad live but man the reverse angle…
Just a toe pick
Yeah it was obvious quick that the Bruins were picking on him every single forecheck, he got pasted and lost possession quite a few times.
Not to compare the 2 at all skill-wise, but I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve seen Erik Karlsson take a hit like one of the many Brannstrom took tonight. He had a nice rush up the ice late in the game and the Bruins D just smashed him into the boards at the blue line and they got possession back.
Kind of worrying tbh, this has been a problem for him since he got to Belleville after “the trade.” I love that he’s not afraid of taking a hit and going to the dirty areas, but he’s gonna be on and off the IR his entire career if he can’t figure it out