Newly Acquired Defenseman Erik Brannstrom Could Find Himself As a Key Piece For The New York Rangers
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The NHL witnessed two blockbuster trades which included Mikko Rantanen being sent to Carolina, and J.T. Miller's return to New York. Now, looking at depth pieces in the mix, could Erik Brannstrom be a bigger piece for the Rangers organization?
Erik Brannstrom was one of multiple pieces which was moved by the Vancouver Canucks with JT Miller.
Brannstrom 25, is still considered a prospect in the NHL after being drafted in 2017 by the Vegas Golden Knights he was sent to Ottawa as part of the Mark Stone deal.
He's become a journeyman in the NHL, joining the Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks, and now part of the Rangers organization.
Now joining the Wolfpack, the journeyman can lend a hand to the struggling blueline in Hartford.
What Brannstrom Brings to Hartford
Brannstrom is an offense-defenseman who knows how to skate and move the puck well.
He's accumulated 12 points due to his playmaking abilities in Abbotsford, and knowing how to play the point.
Hartford's Grant Potulny complimented his play style.
. «I hope he can assimilate himself on the power play, an area we need to improve, and he's got the skill to help us,» Wolf Pack head coach Grant Potulny noted after a 3-0 loss to the Charlotte Checkers on Feb. 7, a game where the offense was non-existent.
Brannstrom could bolster the team's flailing 16.1% power-play and give the team new life.
The Wolfpack have had difficulty working the puck in the offensive zone and taking advantage of open looks this season. Something Potulny hopes the newest Wolfpack defenseman could help with.
«He's generated points at almost every level,» Potulny stated about the recent addition.
While he's not necessarily a shutdown defenseman, he could create turnovers for the defense, and provide offensive help more than he can as a heavy-hitter.
Could he be part of the Rangers blue line rebuild? It's been a work in progress and he could be a solution. The former 2017 15th overall could end up finding himself as a call-up if he continues to develop on both ends of the ice in Hartford.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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