Rangers newly acquired defenseman finally speaks out since being traded to New York
Photo credit: Yahoo Sports
The New York Rangers received Erik Brannstrom in a deal with the Vancouver Canucks that sent Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a first-round draft pick. Now, with his new club, he'll have to work his way up the depth chart if he's to wear the Blueshirt proudly.
This is now the fourth NHL organization defenseman Erik Brannstrom has been a part of. He's seen time in Ottawa, Vancouver, Colorado, and now has joined the Rangers.
He's been relegated to the AHL to suit up with the Hartford Wolfpack and will have to deal with the stress of a move, but also a new situation, and a new depth chart.
«It has been a lot to process mentally, but at the same time, it's been fun to play for many teams. Also, I have performed well, so it's been frustrating to have to move so many times,» Brännström told hockeysverige.se.
The former 2017 1st-round draft pick of the Vegas Golden Knights would be given a qualifying offer by the Senators in July resulting in him being signed by Colorado, then promptly traded to Vancouver in October.
Now, once again traded to New York, he wasn't expected to be moved so soon.
«I wasn't really prepared to be traded from Colorado so quickly,» Brännström said. «Then things went well for me in Vancouver, but over time, I got less playing time and was sent to the AHL. I played very well in the AHL team (Abbotsford), but the New York Rangers pushed to have me included in the J.T. Miller trade.
«That came as a bit of a shock and wasn't something I expected. I had prepared myself to do well in Abbotsford and hopefully get another chance in Vancouver. That didn't happen, but it's exciting to have the opportunity to play for the Rangers. It's probably the biggest organization over here that you can play for.»
«That came as a bit of a shock and wasn't something I expected. I had prepared myself to do well in Abbotsford and hopefully get another chance in Vancouver. That didn't happen, but it's exciting to have the opportunity to play for the Rangers. It's probably the biggest organization over here that you can play for.»
It is indeed a shock as now he'll have to familiarize himself with Hartford, and New York as he's a part of an original-six organization.
He'll just have to find a way to etch his name in Rangers history, such as players like Zac Jones who worked himself into the regular lineup.
«It was unexpected. I was actually at the rink, and we were about to play two games against Calgary's AHL team. I was sitting in the locker room taping my stick when two teammates came in and told me I might want to check my phone because they had seen something about the trade.
«I had missed some calls, and then I realized something was happening. It was a bit of a shock and not something I was expecting.»
«I had missed some calls, and then I realized something was happening. It was a bit of a shock and not something I was expecting.»
For now, the communication between himself and the club has been limited. But he must've had qualities that caught the team's eye right? He was a piece that the team wanted.
Now, 5 games into his tenure with the Wolfpack, he's scored 3 points (1 G, 2 A) and hopes to receive a call-up soon.
«Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play up there (with the Rangers) for a few games. That would be amazing. So far, everything feels really positive.»
With his contract expiring, GM Chris Drury hasn't extended an offer just yet, but we'll come July if Brannstrom remains a priority for the Rangers.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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