Erik Brannstrom has been acquired by the Buffalo Sabres, joining his third new club in the last two seasons. The 25-year-old Brannstrom was a 15th overall pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft but has not live up to expectations. He has spent most of the 2024-25 season n the AHL, scoring 16 points (3G / 13A) in 14 games.
Signed from the Senators in the off-season, Brannstrom leaves the Canucks organization after just 28 NHL games. He registered three goals and five assists with the Canucks, and excelled during his short stint with Abbotsford (AHL), scoring two goals and adding ten assists in just eight games. It's unclear whether the former 15th overall pick will compete for ice-time in the NHL to start his stint with the Rangers, or if he'll be reassigned to Hartford (AHL).
Brannstrom has not played since December 31st and was placed on waiver by the Canucks on Sunday The 25-year-old Brannstrom was the 15th-overall pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He has eight point (3G / 5A) in 28 games this season.
Brannstrom is a surprise omission from Thursday night's lineup after quarterbacking Vancouver's top power-play unit in their last game. Guillaume Brisebois will draw into the lineup in his place.
Brannstrom will take a seat on Thursday in order to make way for Derek Forbort's return from an illness. Brannstrom has three goals and four assists in 26 games this season.
Mark Friedman will make his season debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues, sending Brannstrom to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Brannstrom is averaging 14:57 time-on-ice, recording seven points (3G / 4A) in 23 games this season.
Brannstrom has been solid in Vancouver this season, averaging 14:15 time-on-ice from the blue line, tallying a point (0G / 1A) and a +3 plus/minus. That said, he continues to be a part of paper transactions, sending him back and forth from Abbotsford (AHL) due to salary cap implications.
Brannstrom has been solid in Vancouver this season, averaging 14:15 time-on-ice from the blue line, tallying a point (0G / 1A) and a +3 plus/minus. That said, he continues to be a part of paper transactions, sending him back and forth from Abbotsford (AHL) due to salary cap implications.
Brannstrom was recalled from the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) after being sent down via a paper transaction on Sunday. The 25-year-old Brannstrom played two games with Abbotsford (AHL) earlier this season, recording three points (0G / 3A).
In what will likely end up being a paper transaction, Brannstrom has been assigned to the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). The 25-year-old Brannstrom played two games with Abbotsford (AHL) earlier this season, recording three points (0G / 3A).
Brannstrom had been serviceable in a limited role for Vancouver, producing one points (0G / 1A) and a +2 plus/minus while averaging 13:23 time-on-ice in three games. The 25-year-old Brannstrom played two games with Abbotsford (AHL) earlier this season, recording three points (0G / 3A).
Brannstrom had been serviceable in a limited role for Vancouver, producing one points (0G / 1A) and a +2 plus/minus while averaging 13:23 time-on-ice in three games. The 25-year-old Brannstrom played two games with Abbotsford (AHL) earlier this season, recording three points (0G / 3A).
With Derek Forbort (personal) being away from the team, Vancouver has recalled Brannstrom from the Abbortsford Canucks (AHL). The 25-year-old Brannstrom was signed to a one-year contract in the offseason before being traded to the Canucks earlier this month. Brannstrom spent last season with the Ottawa Senators, tallying 20 points (3G / 17A) in 76 games.
Brannstrom is the type of cheap, sneaky good addition the Avalanche need to make given their salary cap situation. Brannstrom was the No.15 overall pick in 2017 and a huge part of the return for Mark Stone but was not qualified by the Senators this past weekend. Branstrom is coming off a career-best 20 points (3G / 17A) in 76 games and should find a home on Colorado's third-pair.
Brannstrom will take a seat on Sunday as Travis Hamonic will draw in to take his place. Brannstrom has two goals and eight assists in 36 games this season.
Brannstrom's injury comes with news that fellow defenseman Thomas Chabot will be out 4-6 weeks due to a fractured hand, seriously draining the Senators' defensive core. In seven games this season, Brannstrom has zero points, nine shots, four penalty minutes, and a +1 plus/minus rating. Expect the Senators to make a call-up for their depleted blue line.
The 2023 season was Brannstrom's first full NHL season, scoring two goals with 16 assists (18 points) in 74 games. Brannstrom is a quality offensive-defenseman but it will be hard for him to carve out a significant role with Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun and Jake Sanderson ahead of him on the depth chart.
