Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Analyzing the Derick Brassard signing

August 22, 2019, 1:19 PM ET [30 Comments]
Ben Shelley
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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.



It also means Anthony Beauvillier is likely to fill out New York’s top-six on the wing. In a post from a few days ago I had said Beauvillier could be a good fit for third-line center but one problem is that the Islanders would be hurting even more on the wing if that transition happened. The Brassard signing means the Islanders aren’t simply creating holes in their roster by moving around pieces to fix other holes. On top of that, it's unlikely Otto Koivula would be rushed into the NHL now and will get an extra year to refine his game before potentially making the jump and taking over the third-line center role for the 2020-21 season.

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.


OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM AUGUST

Islanders re-sign Dal Colle and Ho-Sang

Islanders' options for third-line center

Will Noah Dobson crack the Islanders’ roster this season?

Islanders could be set in goal for many years


For more, follow @BenShelley_20 on Twitter.
Join the Discussion: » 30 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ben Shelley
» Islanders’ playoff hopes continue to fade after splitting back-to-back set
» Islanders fall to Red Wings for sixth straight loss
» Islanders’ playoff chances take another hit with 4-1 loss to Hurricanes
» Islanders drop both games of weekend back-to-back, now on four-game skid
» Isles fail to pull ahead in playoff race with mixed results on road trip