Traded Erik Brännström - D - Part III

[Ouroboros]

Like I pointed out, there's not a lot of opportunities out there just based on how NHL teams run power plays today.

To get meaningful minutes, he'd have to average 2 minutes a game and as I pointed out, there's 49 such players. Maybe there's a few teams looking for an upgrade on what they have, but there's bound to be more that aren't

I guess it's a good thing that the team has depth to the point that players aren't getting certain opportunities

The way DJ and staff have handled Brannstrom is actually evidence of how clever they are, and what an excellent understanding they have of the modern game. Most fans are 15 years behind the times in understanding 2023 powerplay tactics and deployment.

It's far more beneficial to him that he was forced to develop his 5-on-5 defensive ability and carve out a spot on the PK. This is the stuff that can keep him in the league for 8-10 more years. If he was allowed to just rest on his laurels and stagnate as a powerplay specialist he'd have never been able to stick; that role is dead and it isn't coming back.

It's clearly a developmental success for them, despite the common refrains about how much they 'hate' Brannstrom.

 

[bicboi64]

The way DJ and staff have handled Brannstrom is actually evidence of how clever they are, and what an excellent understanding they have of the modern game. Most fans are 15 years behind the times in understanding 2023 powerplay tactics and deployment.

It's far more beneficial to him that he was forced to develop his 5-on-5 defensive ability and carve out a spot on the PK. This is the stuff that can keep him in the league for 8-10 more years. If he was allowed to just rest on his laurels and stagnate as a powerplay specialist he'd have never been able to stick; that role is dead and it isn't coming back.

It's clearly a developmental success for them, despite the common refrains about how much they 'hate' Brannstrom.

Hard disagree from me. There were years where Brannstrom was a better options than some of the aging plugs we played and he still received meh ice time. It literally took Chabot, a 25+ minute eater to get injured for Brannstrom to get more ice time. Plus DJ's insistence that he play LD when he can also do RD is nonsensical. Brannstrom was playing top 4 minutes by the end of last year, but DJ doesn't see him as more than a bottom pairing guy that can step up if Chabot gets injured.

 

[bert]

The way DJ and staff have handled Brannstrom is actually evidence of how clever they are, and what an excellent understanding they have of the modern game. Most fans are 15 years behind the times in understanding 2023 powerplay tactics and deployment.

It's far more beneficial to him that he was forced to develop his 5-on-5 defensive ability and carve out a spot on the PK. This is the stuff that can keep him in the league for 8-10 more years. If he was allowed to just rest on his laurels and stagnate as a powerplay specialist he'd have never been able to stick; that role is dead and it isn't coming back.

It's clearly a developmental success for them, despite the common refrains about how much they 'hate' Brannstrom.

Whether it was on purpose or not it may be the difference of 10's of millions of dollars for him. They made him earn it thats for sure haha.

 

[DrEasy]

I don't think it's disingenuous or dim to recognized there are 4 guys objectively better than him (taking into account roles especially) and in a cap world you need to make tough choices.

Brannstrom is a commodity to us right now, one I'd like to keep, but, especially if the team opts to re-sign DeBrincat, tough choices will need to be made. He may price himself out, because he isn't bumping any of the top 4 out of their role imo.

Those 4 guys make it very hard to fit Brannstrom in long term. If you disagree, I really don't know what to tell you, I think he's good enough that he's going to quickly price himself out, if he hasn't already. But I just don't see him passing any of Chabot, Chychrun or Sanderson as an offensive guy, or Zub as a defensive guy. So he's pretty much got a glass ceiling of #5 D if he stays here, great option when there are injuries but is that commodity we can fit under the cap.

Branny doesn't have to pass them in order to play on the top 4. As we see every year there's always injuries that will make room for him. This is how you build depth.

 

[Micklebot]

Branny doesn't have to pass them in order to play on the top 4. As we see every year there's always injuries that will make room for him. This is how you build depth.

Missing the point, he's out 5th best D, and he's going to get icetime and deployment that matches, whether it's in the top 4 or not, he's behind those guys on our depth chart.

Are we going to be willing to pay him like a top 4 with 4 other guys ahead of him? Is he going to be happy getting the 5th most mins, with limited PP time, whether he's in the top 4 or not, there's only 60 mins to divide between 6 guys and those 4 have priority over him.

If there's no cap and unlimited spending, of course we'd keep him. But the cap makes every decision a a balancing act.

 

[JD1]

Missing the point, he's out 5th best D, and he's going to get icetime and deployment that matches, whether it's in the top 4 or not, he's behind those guys on our depth chart.

Are we going to be willing to pay him like a top 4 with 4 other guys ahead of him? Is he going to be happy getting the 5th most mins, with limited PP time, whether he's in the top 4 or not, there's only 60 mins to divide between 6 guys and those 4 have priority over him.

If there's no cap and unlimited spending, of course we'd keep him. But the cap makes every decision a a balancing act.

And if Kleven appears not too far away, is that a nail in Chabot's coffin or in Brannstrom's?

 

[Micklebot]

And if Kleven appears not too far away, is that a nail in Chabot's coffin or in Brannstrom's?

You've been beating that drum for a while now, not sure the team sees it the way you do, I don't see us moving Chabot till the contract is up myself.

 

[NB613]

And if Kleven appears not too far away, is that a nail in Chabot's coffin or in Brannstrom's?

Neither… why would a borderline third pairing D whose played 4 games impact decisions on either of them?

We finally have depth on D. Enjoy it while we can still afford it!

 

[PlayersLtd]

Package Brannstrom and Joseph at the draft

For a second round pick? Absolutely not. (not sure if you're kidding)

 

[playasRus]

We went from Brannstrom isn't worth re-signing to let's sign him to top 4 money in the span of 3 months

 

[Micklebot]

We went from Brannstrom isn't worth re-signing to let's sign him to top 4 money in the span of 3 months

I think we'll sign him to another one year deal to keep his cap hit down, if we give him any term I suspect it will cost us 2 mil,

The problem is we are really tight next year, especially if we keep DeBrincat. 2 mil might not fit, particularly if we want a goalie.

So, if we get him for one year, and he continues to play the way he's finished this season, his value will continue to climb and his long term future becomes more cloudy.

He's absolutely our 5th best D, we should keep him as long as we can, but I see him as a guy another team might be willing to give a top 4 role to, with consistent pp time.

Romanov got 13th OA last year, Sandin got Gustafsson and a first, I think people are underating the return young D can get.

I've always defended Brannstrom, I'd like to keep him, but he's going to force us to make a tough choice sooner or later,

 

[JD1]

yes Hamonic did not play as much PP as I thought, that's not even my point though, it's a detail i got wrong and does not change the argument.

and yes PP time is competitive, it is the money maker, which is why for sure he would be okay with moving on from a team that has 3 offensive LHD ahead of him and even when they didn't the coach still played inferior offensive players in front of him. there are for sure better situations for him from a future earnings perspective.

Can you read articles in the Athletic? Note this article is a few hours old and it addresses what I was telling you days ago about the move to the 4F1D power play.

Your stated view was Brannstrom would rather go somewhere where there's more PP time. The article quotes several NHL D talking about the need to have a well rounded game because of the move away from D on the PP

How a shift in NHL strategy is forcing some players to evolve — or 'there potentially isn’t a place for you'

With fewer blueliners running power plays, players like Tyson Barrie can end up as a luxury for teams.

theathletic.com

 

[aragorn]

I wouldn't be surprised if Brann is moved at the draft so Ottawa can get into the 2nd rd if they have a certain prospect targeted. They clearly have the depth on D now especially with Thomson & JBD likely graduating & Kleven looking better than most thought he would. Kleven & JBD IMO could be the future 3rd pairing with Hamonic as a partime player this yr & likely join the coaching staff after his career is over. Thomson could be the 7th D & injury replacement guy, this gives them 4 LD & 4 RD of potential NHL D.

Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - Chychrun
Kleven - JBD
Hamonic - Thomson/Guennette

 

[coladin]

For a second round pick? Absolutely not. (not sure if you're kidding)

Nope, I am serious.

Ottawa needs some cap space, and I think Kleven adds a dimension that this team needs. Branny has improved to the point that he is valuable. But Chabot, Chychrun and Sanderson are going to eat up a lot of minutes. I like Zub, in the top four. Now, personally, I would prefer Hamonic and JBD next year and Kleven to push for a bottom pairing spot over Branny.

Glad he is good now, but objects in the rearview are closer than they appear, and he allowed himself to be caught and passed by Sanderson, and I think Kleven will too

 

[GCK]

I wouldn’t move Brannstrom this year unless we are so tight on cap space we need to run a 20 man roster with a number of 750K contracts.

 

[Cosmix]

I wouldn't be surprised if Brann is moved at the draft so Ottawa can get into the 2nd rd if they have a certain prospect targeted. They clearly have the depth on D now especially with Thomson & JBD likely graduating & Kleven looking better than most thought he would. Kleven & JBD IMO could be the future 3rd pairing with Hamonic as a partime player this yr & likely join the coaching staff after his career is over. Thomson could be the 7th D & injury replacement guy, this gives them 4 LD & 4 RD of potential NHL D.

Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - Chychrun
Kleven - JBD
Hamonic - Thomson/Guennette

I would be surprised and disappointed if Brannstrom is traded for a 2nd round pick in the draft. It would have to a mid to late first rounder (20 to 32) for me.

I think Brannstrom would be very useful to have around as he provides puck carrying ability that Kleven, JBD and Hamonic do not have. Thomson and Guennette might have that skill but may not be good enough next season.

 

[aragorn]

I would be surprised and disappointed if Brannstrom is traded for a 2nd round pick in the draft. It would have to a mid to late first rounder (20 to 32) for me.

I think Brannstrom would be very useful to have around as he provides puck carrying ability that Kleven, JBD and Hamonic do not have. Thomson and Guennette might have that skill but may not be good enough next season.

Do you think Brannstrom is worth a 1st rd pick? I'm not sure who would give us a 1st rd pick for him, would you? I think both Kleven & JBD have shown they can skate the puck out of their own end, maybe not quite as well as Brann yet, but they haven't even played a full season yet & will still both be rookies next yr.

Brann brings what we already have in Chabot, Sanderson & Chychrun & IMO Kleven & JBD are also showing, while Kleven brings something that we need & don't have in the back end or are losing with Holden leaving & Hamonic near the end of his career. It will be interesting to see what his future holds.

 

[bicboi64]

Brannstrom might not net us a 1st rounder, but his value to us is a lot more than a 2nd rounder. We need NHL quality defenders that can play right now and he's easily our 5th best defender. If Kleven becomes better than him sure, but lets not gamble with D depth.

Sign him to a multi year deal at $1.5 million and keep some depth.

 

[Loach]

Branny and Kleven for the 3rd pair.

 

[aragorn]

Branny and Kleven for the 3rd pair.

They are both left shots, Hamonic is a right shot & JBD & Thomson are both right shots & are graduating after this season & something will need to be done to avoid losing them on waivers.

 

[Loach]

They are both left shots, Hamonic is a right shot & JBD & Thomson are both right shots & are graduating after this season & something will need to be done to avoid losing them on waivers.

Branny can play the right side. He's fine there now. He is the type of utility defenceman we should keep. Please stop trying to trade him.

 

[GCK]

I would be surprised and disappointed if Brannstrom is traded for a 2nd round pick in the draft. It would have to a mid to late first rounder (20 to 32) for me.

I think Brannstrom would be very useful to have around as he provides puck carrying ability that Kleven, JBD and Hamonic do not have. Thomson and Guennette might have that skill but may not be good enough next season.
[/QU

Brannstrom might not net us a 1st rounder, but his value to us is a lot more than a 2nd rounder. We need NHL quality defenders that can play right now and he's easily our 5th best defender. If Kleven becomes better than him sure, but lets not gamble with D depth.

Sign him to a multi year deal at $1.5 million and keep some depth.

Brannstrom might not net us a 1st rounder, but his value to us is a lot more than a 2nd rounder. We need NHL quality defenders that can play right now and he's easily our 5th best defender. If Kleven becomes better than him sure, but lets not gamble with D depth.

Sign him to a multi year deal at $1.5 million and keep some depth.

Absolutely correct. Give Branny the Sandin Lilligren deal of 2 x 1.4 play him next year as he is the best option and could increase his value enough to get a 2024 1st before next year’s draft.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Brannstrom might not net us a 1st rounder, but his value to us is a lot more than a 2nd rounder. We need NHL quality defenders that can play right now and he's easily our 5th best defender. If Kleven becomes better than him sure, but lets not gamble with D depth.

Sign him to a multi year deal at $1.5 million and keep some depth.

People generally believe a second will net them a sure fire nhler

 

[OD99]

They are both left shots, Hamonic is a right shot & JBD & Thomson are both right shots & are graduating after this season & something will need to be done to avoid losing them on waivers.

Losing guys who can't make the team is a better outcome than losing a guy who is a proven NHLer and is far better defensively than he gets credit for.

 

[GCK]

People generally believe a second will net them a sure fire nhler

It’s ironic that any 2nd round pick we acquire is worth nothing but if we trade one people feel it’s a sure fire all star.