The New York Islanders have found their third-line center in Derick Brassard after signing the forward to a one-year deal worth just $1.2M. Here are some thoughts on the signing.
Kudos to the readers who predicted this signing, right down to the term and almost the exact dollar amount. I was surprised to see both the AAV and term so low and was expecting probaby a two-year deal worth somewhere in the $2-3M range. You would think someone would be willing to offer him more but I guess not, hence why the deal was signed so late in the summer. Regardless, this is an excellent signing for the Islanders that carries virtually no risk.
Sure, Brassard is approaching his 32nd birthday but without term, who cares? He’s not a permanent fix but he adds a bit of much-needed depth to New York’s forward group. He certainly had a down year last season which could signal decline— just 23 points in 70 games— but throughout his career he’s usually been able to produce in the 40-50 point range. If Brassard can even hit the 40-point mark, this would be a huge win for the Islanders. Brock Nelson isn’t necessarily an ideal second-line center but Brassard being able to drive some offense would really improve New York’s lineup down the middle.
Though Brassard wasn’t the guy the Islanders were gunning for when free agency opened in July, this deal is a short-term win. He’s not going to score 55-60 points like he did at one point but if he can bounce back from a down year last season, he’ll provide New York with more offensive depth.
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