Erik Brannstrom was once a first-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights and one of the most highly anticipated defensive prospects in the NHL but his career hasn’t panned out quite like he and many others thought it would.
The Golden Knights selected Brannstrom with the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft. He was their third selection in the first round after Cody Glass and Nick Suzuki. Shortly after he was the main piece the Ottawa Senators acquired when they traded Mark Stone to the Golden Knights.
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His next three years were spent moving up and down from the NHL and AHL. He produced offence at a high level in the AHL scoring 11 goals and 63 points in 90 games. In the NHL, the story was quite different as he’s recorded just seven goals and 69 points in 266 games.
The 25-year-old was drafted as an offensive defenseman but many defensemen can change their game to be more effective at the next level. This aspect of the game is what Brannstrom has struggled with and failed to do. Being a physical force is pretty much out of the question with him listed at 5’10 and 185 lbs. To make up for that, smaller defensemen need to be exceptional skaters and smart with their stick, another quality he hasn’t added to his game on a consistent level.
Moving to the Colorado Avalanche may help him do that and both he and the organization are hoping it does.
There are a few reasons why this could happen with the Avalanche. The first is that he is older and moving to a new team will be the spark that makes him realize a change to his game is needed. The second is the Avalanche defense core is made up of players who are built similarly to Brannstrom. Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Samuel Girard have all had success with the Avalanche as shorter and lighter defensemen.
The organization has had success developing these kinds of defensemen and could get the best out of Brannstrom this year. He’s an RFA after this year and a positive season could get him another run with one of the favourites to win the Stanley Cup.
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