Here’s why Erik Brannstrom getting traded to Ottawa is a huge deal
Losing Mark Stone is beyond heartbreaking for the Ottawa Senators. However, Erik Brannstrom should make everything better for them.
February 25, 2019 will be a dark day in the Ottawa Senators history. That’s the day they traded future captain Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights. They say you never win a trade when you trade someone as good as he is. However, this trade could prove to be an exception to the rule thanks to Erik Brannstrom.
Brannstrom was the reason why the Senators didn’t get a first-round pick for Stone. His value was much higher than a mid-to-low first-round pick. Just two years ago, the Golden Knights drafted him with the 15th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Draft. Brannstrom’s stock has since skyrocketed. In a 2017 NHL Draft re-draft, the Swedish defenseman would probably go in the top 10.
Everywhere Brannstrom has gone, he has stood out. In the SHL, at the age of 18, he played a full professional season against grown men. Brannstrom flourished while doing so, putting up one of the most productive seasons an 18-year-old defenseman has ever had in the SHL.
After the 2017-18 season, he came to North America for his first season over here. It usually takes a while for players to adjust in their first season, especially defensemen. However, Brannstrom is having a season for the ages in the AHL.
He has arguably been the Chicago Wolves’ most reliable and productive defenseman. Brannstrom leads all Wolves defensemen with 28 points in 41 games. As a 19-year-old, that’s insane. His 0.683 points per game mark as of Feb. 26 is the third-highest mark in AHL history for a 19-year-old defenseman.
Getting Brannstrom is a huge gain for the Senators. Outside of Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot, they didn’t really have any other franchise cornerstones. Especially without Stone, Ryan Dzingel, Erik Karlsson, and Matt Duchene. Brannstrom projects to form an impressive duo on the left side with Chabot.
His puck moving skills are amazing. Being able to skate is a must in today’s NHL and Brannstrom’s a better skater than most forwards. His vision and creativity with the puck are both top-notch, especially for a defenseman.
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Brannstrom has stood out whenever he’s played against his peers. Most importantly, he’s done so even while playing against men as a teenager. The Senators got a gem in Brannstrom. Hopefully, Ottawa can build around the likes of Tkachuk, Chabot, and Brannstrom and they’ll be a part of the next contending Senators team.