Why Erik Brännström Deserve A Long-Term Spot In The Canucks Lineup
Erik Brännström has had an impressive start to his Vancouver Canucks career.
Photo by Bob Frid-Imagn Images - Why Erik Brännström Deserve A Long-Term Spot In The Canucks LineupWhen the Vancouver Canucks traded for Erik Brännström before the start of the season, most of the focus was on the fact that the organization was able to get rid of Tucker Poolman's contract. While Brännström is still young at only 25, the general thought surrounding the former Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators' defenceman was that he would be good organizational depth and spend the majority of the season with the Abbotsford Canucks. Less than a month later, Brännström has proved almost everyone wrong and has developed into a key piece of Vancouver's blue line.
Brännström has now played six games for the Canucks and is one of the team's top defencemen when it comes to analytics. During his 80:43 of even-strength time, Vancouver has outshot the opposition 48-33 and hold a 5-2 goals advantage. Brännström also has an xGF% of 59.94, with the team creating 22 high-danger chances compared to 13 against. From an analytics perspective, he is bringing excess value to the third pair and has helped the Canucks create offence when Quinn Hughes is not on the ice.
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Brännström has also significantly influenced his defence partner, Vincent Desharnais. During the 46:13 of ice time they have played together at even strength, Vancouver has outscored the opposition 3-0, while the duo has an xGF% of 64.55. As for when Desharnais plays with someone else, in those 34:01 minutes of even strength, the Canucks have been outscored 5-1 and hold an xGF% of 37.32. While the two have only played five games together, it is clear they have developed some chemistry and that Desharnais is at his best when Brännström is by his side.
One trait that should help keep Brännström in the lineup is his ability to play both sides of the ice. The left-shot defenceman was partnered with Jakob Chychrun for over 140 minutes last season in Ottawa and was able to produce strong analytics while playing on the right side. This level of versatility is another way Brännström can stay in the lineup, as it gives Head Coach Rick Tocchet and the rest of his coaching staff more options for how to construct the blue line.
Another area where Brännström could potentially help the Canucks is on the power play. Over his career, he has played limited time on the penalty play but has shown an ability to get pucks on the net and create chances, which is something Vancouver's power play has struggled to do over the past few weeks. If Brännström keeps up these strong performances and continues to show that he can create in the offensive zone, it may be only a matter of time before he gets a chance on the power play.
In the end, the Brännström trade looks like a massive win for Patrik Allvin and Vancouver's management team. Brännström continues to make the most of his opportunity and, as a puck-moving defenceman, fills a hole that the Canucks had on their blue line. While there is still plenty of time left in the season, for now, Brännström has earned a long-term spot in Vancouver's lineup.
