ROCHESTER – Returning to the AHL, where he’s utilized much differently than in the big leagues, allows Americans newcomer Erik Brannstrom to transform into a star.
Instead of serving as the sixth or seventh defenseman – “If you make a mistake, you’re out of the lineup,” Amerks assistant coach Nathan Paetsch said of the role in the NHL – he can showcase the slick skill set that made him the 15th overall pick in 2017.
The Amerks, who acquired the Swede on March 7 when the Buffalo Sabres traded winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel to the New York Rangers, quickly cast him as one of their drivers, awarding him 20 minutes a night alongside Kale Clague.
Brannstrom, 25, immediately responded, scoring two goals in his debut and adding one goal and an assist in his second outing.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” he told the Times Herald following Wednesday’s practice in Blue Cross Arena.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Brannstrom has spent the bulk of his career in the NHL, playing 294 games since 2018-19. He earned regular duty with the Ottawa Senators throughout the last two years, averaging 75 appearances per season.
“You can’t put a price tag on somebody that’s played that much in the NHL and really recently,” Amerks coach Mike Leone said.
While Leone has a deep squad, it’s short on NHL experience. Only Clague, who has played 94 games, has spent notable time in the big leagues.
Brannstrom’s arrival gives the Amerks, who began Friday’s home game against the Charlotte Checkers second in the North Division and fourth overall in the AHL, a huge piece as they pursue a Calder Cup championship.
“He’s an elite offensive talent at our level,” Leone said. “Like, his ability in the O-zone to make plays, get shots through, to get us out of our own zone, to jump into the rush. He’s been probably more competitive than I thought for being an undersized defenseman. He’s been really good for us.”
Brannstrom said he’s a “puck-moving D-man.”
“(I like) to join the rush and make good plays and shoot the puck,” he said. “More offensive-minded, I would say.”
Of course, adding a high-end player like Brannstrom late in the season could have drawbacks. The Amerks are a tight-knit group and take pride in being an ensemble.
Much of their success can be traced to their team-first mentality and willingness execute Leone’s system.
Luckily, he has fit in nicely.
“I just appreciate how he’s come in and given us everything he had and he’s buying into the way we want to play, the team concept,” Leone said. “I really appreciate that and his ability to get us out of our own zone.
“He’s been, I like to use the word ‘electric’ with him. He’s been making plays.”
Brannstrom has made plays in four organizations during a whirlwind season in which he has been traded three times. After signing with the Colorado Avalanche on July 2, the Avs dealt him to the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 6.
He played 28 games for the Canucks and eight contests for Abbotsford, their affiliate, scoring two goals and 12 points in 10 games in his first stint in the AHL since early in 2021-22.
Vancouver traded Brannstrom to the Rangers on Jan. 31 in the deal that sent star J.T. Miller back to New York. Brannstrom played six contests for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ top affiliate, before the Sabres acquired him.
“Yeah, a lot of suitcases,” he said of moving around so much.
Brannstrom, who was also dealt from the Vegas Golden Knights to Ottawa in 2019, said he has been welcomed at each stop. He said possibly the toughest part of playing for so many teams has been “breaking in new gear.”
“Everyone is so nice around and helps with everything, so it’s kind of easy to get settled,” he said.
Brannstrom doesn’t have many connections to the Sabres, although he played with captain Rasmus Dahlin on Team Sweden at the 2018 World Junior Championship. They also skate together during the offseason in Sweden.
Given his age, draft status and recent offensive exploits – entering Friday, he had registered five goals and 20 points in 16 total games in the minors this season – perhaps the Sabres will give him a look at some point.
Paetsch said Brannstrom has transitioned from simply trying to survive in the NHL to excelling with the Amerks.
“He has that ability,” he said. “Luckily, he’s thrived right off the get-go.”