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

[projexns]

If you look at stats, its a good trade for the Rangers. Zibanejad has a lot of problems that you only notice if you watch him consistently. He also has a lot of potential, to be fair. I could see him being any where from a 40-55 point player. Skilled, no doubt, but lacks IQ, drive and playmaking to be a serious point producer. He can still be a 55 point, 25g-30a powerforward.

Despite two straight 50 point seasons, he's been a lower impact player(for a top 6 forward).

The Sens now have a legit top 6, top 4 D, and a goalie that can steal a series in Anderson. Also removed a coach that doesn't understand special teams and how to make changes mid games. The Sens are a playoff team.

Agree with the bolded.

I thought I’d do a comparison of the two players over the past two years, post-Spezza in Ottawa where Zibanejad was the 1-2 punch down the middle with Turris and both players played almost the same amount of games (161-160 in favour of Zibanejad):

EVEN-STRENGTH GOAL DIFFERENTIAL 2014-16
[table="head;width=500]PLAYER|ES MIN|60 MIN GMS|GF/60|GA/60|GF/60 DIFF|RAW GF|RAW GA|NET DIFF.|
Brassard|2358|39.30|3.10|2.39|0.71|122|94|28|
Zibanejad|2206|36.77|2.88|2.83|0.05|106|104|2|

[/TABLE]


POWER-PLAY GOAL DIFFERENTIAL 2014-16
[table="head;width=500]PLAYER|PP MIN|60 MIN GMS|GF/60|GA/60|GF/60 DIFF|RAW GF|RAW GA|NET DIFF.|
Brassard|434|7.23|7.74|0.83|6.91|56|6|50|
Zibanejad|410|6.83|5.57|0.29|5.28|38|2|36|


[/TABLE]


TOTAL ES/PP GOAL DIFFERENTIAL 2014-16
[table="head;width=500]PLAYER|ES/PP MIN|60 MIN GMS|GF/60|GA/60|DIFF.|RAW GF|RAW GA|NET DIFF.||
Brassard|2792|46.53|3.82|2.15|1.67|178|100|78|
Zibanejad|2616|43.60|3.30|2.44|0.94|144|106|38|

[/TABLE]

Of course Zibanejad has yet to establish a track-record in the playoffs while Brassard has been the Rangers top scorer in the four seasons that he played there:

http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?rep...Type=3&sort=points&aggregate=1&teamId=3&pos=F


If you peruse this thread, fans of teams who faced the Rangers in the playoffs are happy to see Brassard depart.

I can only conclude that many fans stop watching the playoffs once their team has been eliminated as their have been several deep Ranger playoff runs of which Brassard played a big part.......

 

[aufheben]

There were only 19 C's in the NHL that hit 60 points last year. 23 the year before. Brassard was one of them. Considering that isn't even 1 per team and multiple teams had more than 1 60 point C, they are kind of difficult to get.

But not impossible to do so!

 

[TT1]

i really dont get how people are saying this is a bad trade for Ottawa, pretty hysterical.

Brassard is a 1C, as much as i like Zibby hes not guaranteed to be a 2C and hes an inconsistent player.
The age difference is meaningless because Ottawa is trying to contend during Karlsson's cap friendly contract (notice how both Brassard and Karlsson have 3+ years left on their contracts?), theyre gonna get the best players available.

Ottawa doesn't want to throw Karlsson's prime years (which are extremely cap friendly) away, they want to compete so they got an upgrade, it's as simple as that. The bonus for Melnyk is that Brassard is gonna make 7M over the last 2 years to his contract, perfect deal for a budget team.

 

[Riptide]

He's 23 years old, most players don't break out until they're 25-27. I'm sure as hell he'll be motivated by a change to NY. I think this trade is going to be horrible for the Sens after a few years.

Pretty sure statistically most players produce their best offensive seasons in their early 20s. They're likely better well rounded players as they hit their mid/late 20s, but the average will not produce better offensive numbers as they age after their early 20s.

 

[HabsTown]

Neutral fan (Habs)

I think this is a very good trade for both clubs.

Brassard will thrive under Boucher and Rangers get a younger Brassard (still not at his level though), cap relief and a 2nd pick, which is good since they need as much picks as possible.

 

[Tawnos]

i really dont get how people are saying this is a bad trade for Ottawa, pretty hysterical.

Brassard is a 1C, as much as i like Zibby hes not guaranteed to be a 2C and hes an inconsistent player.
The age difference is meaningless because Ottawa is trying to contend during Karlsson's cap friendly contract, theyre gonna get the best players available.

Well, let's not overrate Brassard either. He was never the outright number 1 center in NY, despite his production. He's a great 1B type center. Better than a 2, but not as good as guys who are bonafide #1s. And Brassard is pretty streaky himself. His hot streaks are very productive though. He's not inconsistent in effort, but the scoring comes in clumps.

I loved Brassard with the Rangers. This is a good trade for both teams though.

 

[TT1]

Amongst centers, he was 26th in scoring 2 years ago and he was 25th this season. Hes also not a 1 dimensional player which increases his utility to a team even more. Instead of posting a moronic emote, please tell me how hes not a 1C.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Ottawa wins this trade by a mile. Zibanajed is soft and lazy. Comes to work everyday with all the tools, but usually doesn't bother to open his toolbox.

Gotta wonder what the Rangers pro scouts were doing all year, they surely didn't spend much time watching the Senators.

Brassard can't skate backwards.....

 

[GAGLine]

Pretty sure statistically most players produce their best offensive seasons in their early 20s. They're likely better well rounded players as they hit their mid/late 20s, but the average will not produce better offensive numbers as they age after their early 20s.

Ironic that you post this as a detractor to Zib, yet Brassard's best offensive seasons came at ages 27 and 28.

I think it's pretty likely that we haven't seen Zib's best years yet, but even if he plateaus at this point, a 50 point center with size and speed is still valuable.

 

[The Expert]

The Sens win this trade for the next year, perhaps 2. The Rangers win this trade after, and while Zibanejad is playing 2nd line center in 2023, Brassard will be in his 2nd year of a comfortable retirement.

This trade is made possible by a team taking advantage of their cash and another selling assets for cash.

Why do you think Brassard will retire at 31?

 

[Cynick]

Love it how senator fans tried to defend their lineup with arguments like "youth" and "potential". When they lose their one promising asset up front, he suddenly sucks.

Ottawas getting worse and worse and worse. Save yourself, Erik!

I love the neutrality and objectivity in your observations in this thread and the other ones focused on the Sens (and their fans?).

 

[Penske]

Pretty good trade. Sens come out on top in the early years and Rangers hoping to have the better of the deal in the latter years.

 

[Stephen]

i really dont get how people are saying this is a bad trade for Ottawa, pretty hysterical.

Brassard is a 1C, as much as i like Zibby hes not guaranteed to be a 2C and hes an inconsistent player.
The age difference is meaningless because Ottawa is trying to contend during Karlsson's cap friendly contract (notice how both Brassard and Karlsson have 3+ years left on their contracts?), theyre gonna get the best players available.

Ottawa doesn't want to throw Karlsson's prime years (which are extremely cap friendly) away, they want to compete so they got an upgrade, it's as simple as that. The bonus for Melnyk is that Brassard is gonna make 7M over the last 2 years to his contract, perfect deal for a budget team.

I think this is exactly what throwing Karlsson's prime years away looks like. Load up on middle aged, middle tier, middle income veterans with middling upside, crawl into the playoffs, get destroyed.

I wonder how long it will be before Erik Karlsson asks to be moved.

 

[Tawnos]

Amongst centers, he was 26th in scoring 2 years ago and he was 25th this season. Hes also not a 1 dimensional player which increases his utility to a team even more. Instead of posting a moronic emote, please tell me how hes not a 1C.

Well, he IS a one dimensional player. He's not great defensively, he's not physical. He's not a speedster. He's just a solid finesse player with excellent vision and a decent shot. He does work hard.

Look, I'm not denigrating the player that Brassard is. I like him a lot. But we need to be honest about the player he is.

 

[JT Kreider]

Why do you think Brassard will retire at 31?

Probably meant retirement contract. A la when we signed Richards.

 

[darko]

Rangers

What's wrong with this deal?

 

[PhoenyX]

Ryan better watch out...this move signals that the Sens are no longer willing to put up with inconsistent players. Bobby could be next!

 

[ChocolateLeclaire]

I think this is exactly what throwing Karlsson's prime years away looks like. Load up on middle aged, middle tier, middle income veterans with middling upside, crawl into the playoffs, get destroyed.

I wonder how long it will be before Erik Karlsson asks to be moved.

Yes. A pox on the Ottawa Senators for acquiring a player with playoff pedigree to improve their top 6. Erik should demand a trade immediately.

 

[TT1]

I think this is exactly what throwing Karlsson's prime years away looks like. Load up on middle aged, middle tier, middle income veterans with middling upside, crawl into the playoffs, get destroyed.

I wonder how long it will be before Erik Karlsson asks to be moved.

Thats HF's mentality, if posters here were to build a team it would look like the Edmonton Oilers. They'd be content with having good young players while missing the playoffs every year.

Well, he IS a one dimensional player. He's not great defensively, he's not physical. He's not a speedster. He's just a solid finesse player with excellent vision and a decent shot. He does work hard.

Look, I'm not denigrating the player that Brassard is. I like him a lot. But we need to be honest about the player he is.

Brassard is solid defensively, thats what i meant by not being a 1 dimensional player.

 

[Gardner McKay]

What's wrong with this deal?

Bias gonna bias? I dunno. Its a good deal for both teams.

Yes. A pox on the Ottawa Senators for acquiring a player with playoff pedigree to improve their top 6. Erik should demand a trade immediately.

If anything Karlsson should be thrilled. Ottawa made a move to help their team now. In the long run? Who knows but right now they are a better team. Brassard had 20 points in 24 games over the past two years and 32 in 47 over the past 3. That is SOLID playoff production from anyone in your top 6

 

[DTM]

Love this for the Sens.

 

[Tawnos]

Thats HF's mentality, if posters here were to build a team it would look like the Edmonton Oilers. They'd be content with having good young players while missing the playoffs every year.



Brassard is solid defensively, thats what i meant by not being a 1 dimensional player.

Yeah, I've watched every game he's played over the last 3+ years. He's not solid defensively. He's marginal in that way. Average. There's a good reason he never killed penalties with us.

 

[Sky04]

I think this is exactly what throwing Karlsson's prime years away looks like. Load up on middle aged, middle tier, middle income veterans with middling upside, crawl into the playoffs, get destroyed.

I wonder how long it will be before Erik Karlsson asks to be moved.

How? For the next 3 years Brassard will be the superior player in almost every regard, they got an upgrade for the immediate future and considering Karlsson is in his prime right now.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I think this is exactly what throwing Karlsson's prime years away looks like. Load up on middle aged, middle tier, middle income veterans with middling upside, crawl into the playoffs, get destroyed.

I wonder how long it will be before Erik Karlsson asks to be moved.

Why would Erik Karlsson ask to be moved? Dorion (Ottawa's GM), just went out and upgraded the 2C position, got a player who has a proven track record in the playoffs, got a good coach, (Murray (Ottawa's former GM)) added Phaneuf at the deadline last year, while at the same time re-signing every notable free agent from the last half decade and drafting at very high levels.

Maybe before (in your scenario), Karlsson asks to be moved, he should ask himself if perhaps there's more he can do to help.

 

[Cynick]

I think this is exactly what throwing Karlsson's prime years away looks like. Load up on middle aged, middle tier, middle income veterans with middling upside, crawl into the playoffs, get destroyed.

I wonder how long it will be before Erik Karlsson asks to be moved.

I guess technically Brassard is a "middle tier" player in the NHL given that he's a #2C (before first line, ahead of 4th line). Also, technically, "middle aged" (he's 28 and players range from 18-40+), "middle income" (he makes $5.5 million and players range from <$1 to $10.5), and a "veteran (he has over 100 games played) but there seems something rather dismissive there about what Brassard will bring to the Sens. Also, the vast majority of players in the NHL technically fit that description so you should expect that teams end up with a lot of those types of "middle aged," "middle tier," "middle income" veterans players...