Rangers Improve Team with Brass Trade

Derick Brassard (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)

The New York Rangers traded Derick Brassard for Mika Zibanejad on Monday in an attempt to alleviate some cap space and to get a little younger on the ice. Both aspects are brilliant moves on the Rangers part and this trade will certainly turn out to be only a positive going forward.

While Brassard was certainly a fan favorite, he’s 28 and turning 29 shortly and counting almost double against the cap that the 23 year old Zibanejad does. All of this already seems to be good but then you get to the numbers and it makes this trade that much more solid.

The stats are almost identical between the two and considering Brassard is in his prime now you know what you’re getting out of him and he probably won’t exceed this much further. However with Zibanejad being only 23 and years away from his true prime his potential can only continue to soar.

In back to back seasons 2014-15 and 2015-16 Zibanejad played 80 and 81 games, scored 20 and 21 goals and finished with 46 and 51 points respectively. Compare that to Brassard’s last two seasons where he played in 80 games both times while registering 19 and 27 goals for 60 and 58 points respectively.

The numbers for Brassard are good but when you think about how close to a 23 year olds those are it’s fun to think just how much better Zibanejad can be in the few years’ time.

These numbers just scratch the surface for Zibanejad who, according to Blueshirtsunited.com: “led the Senators in game-winning goals, faceoff wins, and faceoffs taken, ranked third in shorthanded goals (two), tied for third in games played, tied for fourth in assists, and ranked fifth in points and power play points (11) in 2015-16”

Sometimes you just can’t teach clutch and it seems like Zibanejad has that special clutch gene to come through in the most important moment.