Traded Erik Brännström - D - Part III

[OD99]

He was not overpowered in the D zone. Branny is a better D-zone player than Chabot. Much better.

He is quite good positionally in the defensive zone and is using his stick and body far more effectively than ever before.

His underlying metrics have been good for a couple of years but he gets ragged on due to his size.

He stops the puck from going in and he moves the puck very well. I hope we don't give him up as he has plenty more to give, particularly when he starts getting some puck luck.

 

[stempniaksen]

He's fine if a little vanilla and unspectacular when he's on the 3rd pair, but he's a different player with Zub. It's kind of unfortunate that there's basically zero chance of that continuing as long as Chabot and Sanderson are here.

 

[Dionysus]

Yeah, keeping him is a no brainer. He provides quality minutes and is cheap, perfect combination and the way you HAVE TO complete your roster if you ever hope to be competitive.

Trade him when his value seem to peak (unless you can afford his next raise and need him at LD)



He hit the post vs the Islanders too. NHL.com says he has 2 on the season but probably a few more than that

I checked recently and he had the 10th lowest 5v5 xGA/60 among D-men. lol he's like a defensive specialist

And regarding Holden, Hamonic and Zaitsev all having a higher PPG, it can't be anything else than pure luck. They have very little offensive skill outside of Hamonic shot (and Holden has declined over the years)

Finally, while I was looking at stats, I found that we have 3 guys in the top-7 for Missed Shots Over Net (Batherson 1st, Tkachuk and DeBrincat tied at 7th), Batherson is also 8th for posts. One of the reasons why our GF is much lower than our xGF

And this is ridiculous, we are 22nd in GF/60 (2.97 G/60) but 3rd in xGF/60 (3.51 xG/60)

Batherson 1st in the league at missing the net high checks out with my eyes haha. Bar down or bust for him.

For Branny it seems to come down to confidence. When he is feeling it he is a great puck transporter from the dzone to the ozone. Solid breakouts too.

Keeping him with Zub and slotting Sanderson and Hamonic back together would be solid I think. Bring down Chabots minutes some.

 

[Xspyrit]

Batherson 1st in the league at missing the net high checks out with my eyes haha. Bar down or bust for him.

For Branny it seems to come down to confidence. When he is feeling it he is a great puck transporter from the dzone to the ozone. Solid breakouts too.

Keeping him with Zub and slotting Sanderson and Hamonic back together would be solid I think. Bring down Chabots minutes some.

That's why my idea for the defense would be :

Chabot - ??????
Sanderson - JBD
Brannstrom - Zub

That way you could roll with 3 pairings at ES without worrying based on balance and chemistry. Chabot would get a lot of PP time but his ES would be monitored (which is what he needs). Sanderson would get both PP/PK time, Zub and JBD would get PK time; Brannstrom some PP time. The ?????? guy would also probably play on the PK. That guy has to be as close as possible to a Carlo or prime Parayko (I would trade DeBrincat to get that guy). This is also what Chabot needs (on top of new coaching)

Finally, Sanderson in his rookie year is making Hamonic look like NOT a disaster, he would help JBD get comfortable in the NHL plus they already know each others well... That would be a great pairing IMO and would allow Sanderson to go on offense more. Brannstrom and Zub are at their best when paired together I find, that pairing should be a no brainer.

 

[Cosmix]

That's why my idea for the defense would be :

Chabot - ??????
Sanderson - JBD
Brannstrom - Zub

That way you could roll with 3 pairings at ES without worrying based on balance and chemistry. Chabot would get a lot of PP time but his ES would be monitored (which is what he needs). Sanderson would get both PP/PK time, Zub and JBD would get PK time; Brannstrom some PP time. The ?????? guy would also probably play on the PK. That guy has to be as close as possible to a Carlo or prime Parayko (I would trade DeBrincat to get that guy). This is also what Chabot needs (on top of new coaching)

Finally, Sanderson in his rookie year is making Hamonic look like NOT a disaster, he would help JBD get comfortable in the NHL plus they already know each others well... That would be a great pairing IMO and would allow Sanderson to go on offense more. Brannstrom and Zub are at their best when paired together I find, that pairing should be a no brainer.

Pairing Brannstrom with Zub could be a VG pairing. I have my doubts about JBD playing 2nd pair with Sanderson; I think we need a big physical D there who can play a solid defensive game.

 

[Xspyrit]

Pairing Brannstrom with Zub could be a VG pairing. I have my doubts about JBD playing 2nd pair with Sanderson; I think we need a big physical D there who can play a solid defensive game.

JBD listed on the 2nd pairing but if you read my description, all pairings would play similar minutes outside of special units and specific game situations. In the end, JBD and Brannstrom would have the less TOI/GP among the whole defense. Chabot and Sanderson would have the most.

 

[Cosmix]

All players are like that but he really puts himself in bad positions when he goes backhand in the D zone.

Even Gretzky.

 

[DylanSensFan]

Pairing Brannstrom with Zub could be a VG pairing. I have my doubts about JBD playing 2nd pair with Sanderson; I think we need a big physical D there who can play a solid defensive game.

If he wasn't so costly, I'd consider Seth Jones. He isn't maybe as physical as you're hoping, but definitely a solid defender.

 

[Cosmix]

If he wasn't so costly, I'd consider Seth Jones. He isn't maybe as physical as you're hoping, but definitely a solid defender.

Yes Seth Jones could be a VG D to play with Sanderson but would likely cost too much in assets and ongoing salary.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Batherson 1st in the league at missing the net high checks out with my eyes haha. Bar down or bust for him.

For Branny it seems to come down to confidence. When he is feeling it he is a great puck transporter from the dzone to the ozone. Solid breakouts too.

Keeping him with Zub and slotting Sanderson and Hamonic back together would be solid I think. Bring down Chabots minutes some.

If we can get a weegar I legit would play him with Chabot. And just roll three pairings almost evenly.

 

[JackieDaytona]

Like clockwork, Brannstrom making the best of a chance to move up due to injuries. What’s that, 3 years running now?

He’s had a great string of games, some points and strong play on d and in transition.

 

[SensFan1010]

That's why my idea for the defense would be :

Chabot - ??????
Sanderson - JBD
Brannstrom - Zub

That way you could roll with 3 pairings at ES without worrying based on balance and chemistry. Chabot would get a lot of PP time but his ES would be monitored (which is what he needs). Sanderson would get both PP/PK time, Zub and JBD would get PK time; Brannstrom some PP time. The ?????? guy would also probably play on the PK. That guy has to be as close as possible to a Carlo or prime Parayko (I would trade DeBrincat to get that guy). This is also what Chabot needs (on top of new coaching)

Finally, Sanderson in his rookie year is making Hamonic look like NOT a disaster, he would help JBD get comfortable in the NHL plus they already know each others well... That would be a great pairing IMO and would allow Sanderson to go on offense more. Brannstrom and Zub are at their best when paired together I find, that pairing should be a no brainer.

What about

Chabot JBD
Sanderson ??
Branny Zub

and roll those suckers out like clockwork. No need to over work any of them

 

[Xspyrit]

What about

Chabot JBD
Sanderson ??
Branny Zub

and roll those suckers out like clockwork. No need to over work any of them

I don't think JBD is the best option for Chabot though, he needs a physical guy that played 1st pairing minutes

 

[Tuna99]

Last 5 games:
4 points
+ 3
10 shots
Strong Flow

 

[Bileur]

Last 5 games:
4 points
+ 3
10 shots
Strong Flow

To be fair the flow was on point from game 1.

 

[JD1]

If we can get a weegar I legit would play him with Chabot. And just roll three pairings almost evenly.

It's not typically advantageous to roll 3 pairings evenly. There are many D men in the league quite capable of playing more than 20. And those guys that are have always played more than 20, and in some cases a lot more.

Us rolling 3 evenly takes ice away from guys that are capable of playing more.

I get some teams do it, but imo that's evidence of having a strong bottom 3 and not having strength at the top

 

[Xspyrit]

It's not typically advantageous to roll 3 pairings evenly. There are many D men in the league quite capable of playing more than 20. And those guys that are have always played more than 20, and in some cases a lot more.

Us rolling 3 evenly takes ice away from guys that are capable of playing more.

I get some teams do it, but imo that's evidence of having a strong bottom 3 and not having strength at the top

The nuance is you roll them even at even strength. The difference comes from special units and game situations (OT, 4v4, end of the game to protect a lead vs trying to score, etc)

You could also give more time to certain pairings in the games they seem to be dominating. In the end guys like Chabot and Sanderson end up with quite more TOI/GP than others

 

[Burrowsaurus]

It's not typically advantageous to roll 3 pairings evenly. There are many D men in the league quite capable of playing more than 20. And those guys that are have always played more than 20, and in some cases a lot more.

Us rolling 3 evenly takes ice away from guys that are capable of playing more.

I get some teams do it, but imo that's evidence of having a strong bottom 3 and not having strength at the top

I think they’re all capable of playing more. But right now Chabot needs a some time to figure shit out.

 

[Micklebot]

It's not typically advantageous to roll 3 pairings evenly. There are many D men in the league quite capable of playing more than 20. And those guys that are have always played more than 20, and in some cases a lot more.

Us rolling 3 evenly takes ice away from guys that are capable of playing more.

I get some teams do it, but imo that's evidence of having a strong bottom 3 and not having strength at the top

Deeper teams can give their top players a bit of a break, Makar is 22nd in toi/g (5v5 with 500+ mins), Hedman 28th, meanwhile Chabot is 3rd. I don't think we should go to an extreme in balancing icetime, but we could definitely spread things out more that we do.

I think they’re all capable of playing more. But right now Chabot needs a some time to figure shit out.

He seemed to have it pretty figure out against the blues yesterday... Had 4 mins more 5v5 toi than the next closest guy too.

As a complete aside, Brannstrom lead all defenders in PK icetime against the blues with a whopping 6:34, nearly a full min more than Hamonic...

 

[JD1]

Do Makar and Hedman kill penalties?

Do Makar and Hedman kill penalties?

 

[Bileur]

Do Makar and Hedman kill penalties?

Do Makar and Hedman kill penalties?

Yes both do.

 

[JD1]

Yes both do.

Exactly. Which is why the toi at 5 on 5 is lower.

 

[Micklebot]

Do Makar and Hedman kill penalties?

Do Makar and Hedman kill penalties?

Sure 3-4 pk shifts a game on average,

The problem is regardless of whether it's a tough PK shift or an easier PP shift, you still need time between shifts, and when your logging 20 mins of 5v5 it means you're over the boards almost every 2nd shift. A big break while the other guys kill penalties just tightens up the gap between all the other shifts you do take, compresses everything.

I actually think not killing penalties (or alternatively not being on the PP for a defensive minded guy) actually brings its own challenges. You can have your legs go on you if you're sitting on the bench for an extended period killing off a major or a quick succession of minors.

Tbh, I'd rather we cut back a bit of ES time and get him on the PK, if Brannstrom can do it, Chabot can. Round out his mins, have them spaced out more evenly through the game. Ideally I'd like him brought down to about 24 mins a night total too,

I think we have the depth at LD to do it, we just need to add a RHD that can keep up, like you I have far more faith in Brannstrom than many around here.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Sure 3-4 pk shifts a game on average,

The problem is regardless of whether it's a tough PK shift or an easier PP shift, you still need time between shifts, and when your logging 20 mins of 5v5 it means you're over the boards almost every 2nd shift. A big break while the other guys kill penalties just tightens up the gap between all the other shifts you do take, compresses everything.

I actually think not killing penalties (or alternatively not being on the PP for a defensive minded guy) actually brings its own challenges. You can have your legs go on you if you're sitting on the bench for an extended period killing off a major or a quick succession of minors.

Tbh, I'd rather we cut back a bit of ES time and get him on the PK, if Brannstrom can do it, Chabot can. Round out his mins, have them spaced out more evenly through the game. Ideally I'd like him brought down to about 24 mins a night total too,

I think we have the depth at LD to do it, we just need to add a RHD that can keep up, like you I have far more faith in Brannstrom than many around here.

Last night , highest TOI was 23 minutes, nice balance for the b2b.

 

[Micklebot]

Last night , highest TOI was 23 minutes, nice balance for the b2b.

Much easier to do when you get up 6-0