Confirmed Trade: [NYR/OTT] Mika Zibanejad & 2018 2nd round pick for Derick Brassard & 2018 7th rounder

[SensNation613]

My initial reaction: Why? There was no need to make this deal.

Following that, I decided to analyse this deal alot more thoroughly. This makes sense for the Sens since we have Turris who will be needing a new contract in two years. Having Brassard gives us two solid centers as a 1B/1B duo and he has three years left which he will be getting paid 3M, 3.5M & 3.5M which is a steal for his play.

Zibanejad will be an RFA next season, the Sens probably wanted to see how much he wanted and the difference between his demands and their offer was probably huge. I think this makes sense because his last contract the bridge to see what type of player he will be. Personally, I think he has grown in the past two years but I'm still uncomfortable signing him to a bigger contract as he was one of the biggest question marks on the team. He is probably looking to cash out as a 2C or 1B which is unrealistic IMO (4.5M-5.5M).

The majority of people seem to think it favors the Rangers but I see it as a win/win because both teams had their reasons behind making this move. The 2nd round pick that was added is frustrating for Sens fans but they did eat the 2M bonus and it seems like Melnyk may value that more than the pick. Rangers pipeline is bare with all the picks they have moved in recent years but saving those 5 years between Zibby & Brassard is the most important thing for them. Adding a 2nd for 2M makes sense as they have a huge amount of money.

Win/Win for both teams.

 

[Rangers ftw]

Stepan is a much better hockey player than Zibby. Zibby has potential though. Looks fair value wise to me.

Brassard is better than Stepan though.

Not sure how I feel bout this trade. Brassard is a playoff beast.

 

[aufheben]

This is a Jim Benning trade. Trade a younger player for and older one and add in a 2nd rounder? Deal

Except the part where Brassard is really good.

 

[DL44]

First reaction was, Great move Sens.

But the Rangers do end up with a young upswinging asset that has scored 50 already, so that's an outstanding get.

But I didn't initially realize is how much money in real dollars this should save the Sens as well.. Zibanejad's next deal should fly past 4 mil based on this season's comparables as he continues to progress.

So, better player plus some cost savings over the next 2-3 yrs, at the expense of the longer term return.
Great move for the Sens.

Good long term move for the Rangers.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Good deal for the Rangers.

 

[CherryToke]

Brassard has never put up first line numbers but he's a first line centre how? he's not exactly Selke calibur either.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Brassard is better than Stepan though

News to me

 

[Battle Lin]

well sens for sure got the better player, not a lot better, but better...they wanna win now...mika is only 23 though and came off back to back 50ish point seasons, its a very close trade

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Brassard has never put up first line numbers but he's a first line centre how? he's not exactly Selke calibur either.

60 points is first line numbers. this isn't 2006

 

[Miller Time NYR]

I think this is a really good trade for both sides, in the short term for the Sens and long term for Rangers.

 

[iamthewalrus]

I don't want to like the deal, as Brassard is one of my favorites and the other half to Zucc.


But putting feelings aside, I think this is a great trade for the Rangers

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Brassard has never put up first line numbers but he's a first line centre how? he's not exactly Selke calibur either.

60 points and 58 points in the last two years

Those are low end 1C numbers

 

[Alluckks]

Brassard has never put up first line numbers but he's a first line centre how? he's not exactly Selke calibur either.

What would 1st line numbers be? A specific amount of points? Or simply top 30 amongst Centers? Top 90 amongst Forwards?

 

[Djp]

From an outsider perspective, I'm surprised that Ottawa had to add the 2nd rounder. Really, I'm not sure why any picks were involved.

The way I see it the Rangers did this to potentially open up cap space for this year as well as the next 2 yrs after.

this year they have 2 RFAs to sign, 5 RFAs next year--but next year they don't have much UFA coming off. the following year they have Nash coming off (assume he isn't traded) + a few others totaling $14M in cap space.

 

[GAGLine]

Brassard is better than Stepan though.

He really isn't though. Brassard has put up better numbers in the playoffs, there's no denying that, but during the regular season, Stepan had the higher pts/game totals for the last 3 years. On top of that, Stepan is younger and much better defensively.

Injuries have held Stepan back a bit the last 2 years. If he can stay healthy, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him put up 60-70 points.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Hes not. 2nd line center,was a first liner on a rangers team who have no first line centers

That's fine with us though, we have Turris and we have Brown and White coming.

Can he play the wing as well?

 

[Alluckks]

Brassard was 23rd and 26th in Points for Center the past 2 years. 48th in Points for all forwards each of the past 2 years.

 

[dogbazinho]

I like this for the Rangers. Another cap strapped team helped off the ledge.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Ah.

Cap Hit vs Actual Dollars.

Ok.

But isnt Mike Hoffman warranted a raise as well?

Are they projecting Hoff to earn less than Zibanejad then?

No

The money saved in this deal will go towards Hoffman.

 

[McJC]

Feels like every Canadian team is getting ripped off in trades

 

[Devourers]

Personally, as a person who dislikes the Sens a lot, I think this is a good trade for them. They're trying to compete and aren't going to rebuild so might as well make moves that help the team now.

I don't care that Zib put up 51pts, I still think Sens got the better player in this deal. The 5 years won't matter because by the time Brass is declining they'll be forced to rebuild anyways more than likely.

The Sens IMO became a better team today, and would not be surprised if that remains the case for the next 5 or so years of this trade.

 

[Rangers ftw]

News to me

Well now you know

 

[IranCondraAffair]

Hmmm.

Zibanejad is a great, young, physical, shoot first center. Everything you could want as a potential long-term #2 Center. He is young so there is still a lot of upside, but his lack of play-making make him hard to find partners for. It also somewhat turns his line-mates to feeding him scoring opportunities. He is not overly good on the PP, either. His contract is good for next season but if he scores 60 points it was going to cost Ottawa too much to keep him. Also, his work habits are a concern so there is a good chance he could stagnate or even regress.

Brassard is a good two-way centre, but not as physical as Zibanejad. Consistently issues, but just as talented/productive as Zibanejad if not more so. Age isn't a huge issue. Local guy, so he might stay in Ottawa. Contract is great for Ottawa since they can handle cap-hit but not dollars.

As a Sens fan, I'm okay with this. I don't really see where Ottawa gets burned by this. Brassard/Turris is a good 1-2 punch. Brassard might improve the powerplay and he's a left shot for faceoffs.

Zibanejad might be the better player eventually, but it will be interesting to see how much of his success was due to line-mates. He certainly has the talent to be a great player.

 

[Alluckks]

That's fine with us though, we have Turris and we have Brown and White coming.

Can he play the wing as well?

He has always been used as a Center.

That guy also posted on your board that he is a "3C, fill in 2C"

So I don't think he entirely knows what he is talking about.

 

[TGWL]

Brassard has never put up first line numbers but he's a first line centre how? he's not exactly Selke calibur either.

Except last year where he was in the top 30 points for centers?