UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Derick Brassard #10 of the New York Islanders controls the puck during their game against the Edmonton Oilers at the NYCB's LIVE Nassau Coliseum on October 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Chuck Fletcher preached changes this offseason, and he wanted to make the Flyers tough to play against for the 2021-22 season. With revamping the lineup some new leadership changes have taken place with now five players in Rasmus Ristolainen, Derick Brassard, Keith Yandle, Cam Atkinson, and Ryan Ellis formerly assistant captains. This article will give you all you need to know on Brassard, and four reasons why Fletcher made the move to obtain Brassard.
Brassard is strong defensively, and really has a keen hockey sense. He isn’t the fastest skater, but he can pot goals in tight spaces, and is tough to move off the puck. Brassard plays a two-way game, and possesses puck skills to succeed at the NHL level. For his efforts, he can can play the penalty kill, and he is a sizable Forward down the middle as he stands 6’1″ 202 pounds. The Flyers wanted to become tougher to play against, and Brassard provides this aspect of the game.
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This 33-year-old in Brassard is a solid versatile, bottom 9 player that plays the game the right way, and is good in the locker room. Moreover, he will fit in well in Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s system, as he is a defensive first type of player. Brassard played for Vigneault from 2013-16, so he knows exactly what to expect from AV.
Fletcher indicated to the media that he wanted to improve the special teams, not only the penalty kill, but the lackluster power play, as well. Well, he brings in Rasmus Ristolainen and Keith Yandle (Both have one hell of a shot from the point), a finisher in Cam Atkinson, Ryan Ellis, Nate Thompson, and Derick Brassard. Brassard could be an effective penalty killer, maybe not as effective as Atkinson, but solid nonetheless.
Yes, he is no longer in his prime, but Brassard is still an effective skater that has played in 905 games throughout the course of his NHL career. Brassard has tallied 194 goals and registered 309 assists for 503 points, along with 419 penalty minutes. He has also scored 25 goals and added 43 assists for 68 points in his 117 playoff games.
Four reasons why Fletcher signed Brassard
- It appears that Fletcher wants to keep Claude Giroux on the wing, as Brassard fills a need in case Morgan Frost does not make the team as a third line Center out of training camp.
- The addition of Brassard allows Morgan Frost to get some games under his belt with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms following training camp. It should be noted that Frost has only played into organized hockey games in a year and a half.
- One reason Brassard was obtained was to keep Scott Laughton on the wing, as it appears the Flyers prefer him on the wing as opposed to the center position.
- Healthy competition to push Frost is a good thing. It will make him a better hockey player, thus forcing him to work harder to obtain his overall goal.
Again Brassard wasn’t the flashiest, or sexiest addition by any means. However, he checks off boxes of need for the Flyers overall. Now it’s time to see how this addition helps the Flyers post-season push.
From all of us here at Flyers Nitty Gritty, our hearts, thoughts and prayers remain with the Hayes family during this difficult time.
The “A” is for alternate captain, not assistant captain.
Often, if guys are not scorers fans who are not versed in how a hockey team works will downplay the pick-up.. But this guy will be the type of player that teams CANNOT win without .. I say this as a 57 y/o man who has played 50+ years of ice hockey but didn’t score much . But sometimes winning a shift , setting the forecheck, pressuring on the backcheck and playing a solid 200 foot game will win you games even if it doesn’t show up on the score sheet .. Just my 2 cents ..