In 32 days, the Ottawa Senators will play their preseason opener.
In 39 days, they’ll play their first preseason game at the CTC.
In 51 days, they’ll open the 2022/2023 regular season.
In 56 days, they’ll suit up for the home opener against the Boston Bruins.
Now you may think it’s a little premature to start the countdown to a new NHL season but you would be wildly incorrect. Because what the hell else am I supposed to write about for what is basically an eternity?
And so with that, the countdown to a new season is underway.
Pierre Dorion has been one of the busiest GMs anywhere in the National Hockey League and yet, two fairly prominent items linger on his off-season To Do list. Well three if you count that inevitable Jakob Chychrun trade. When not if, as the old saying goes.
See with Training Camp now just around the corner as indicated by the countdown clock above, two restricted free agents remain without contracts.
The fact that Alex Formenton doesn’t have a deal comes as no surprise but seeing Erik Brannstrom’s name on that list this close to a new season is a little unexpected.
Although considering the way Erik Brannstrom has bounced around between Belleville and Ottawa and the love-hate relationship he seems to have with Head Coach DJ Smith at times, perhaps we shouldn’t be all that surprised.
Erik Brannstrom, who will turn 23 in just a couple weeks, still hasn’t really established himself as an everyday NHL defenceman. Maybe that’s not exactly true but his role is still sort of undefined. Not unheard of for a defenceman and certainly not for an undersized one but still somewhat discouraging for a player that was the centre piece in the Mark Stone trade and once heralded as the top prospect not currently playing in the NHL.
Now that’s not to say there haven’t been flashes of brilliance along the way. To his credit, Brannstrom gradually carved out a regular role for himself down the stretch last season. In fact, from January to April, he was consistently cracking the 20-minute mark and seemed to be earning the trust of his Head Coach.
There were certainly encouraging signs down the stretch and definitely things he could build on heading into a new year.
Yet with Training Camp rapidly approaching, he is still without a deal. So what gives?
Both Brannstrom and the Senators are keenly aware that the young defenceman doesn’t really have a ton of leverage in this situation. Few RFAs do and that is especially true of players still looking to solidify a role in the lineup.
Bruce Garrioch was on the Sens Talk Podcast the other day and hinted that maybe Brannstrom is looking for a little term on his next contract. Makes sense, I suppose. But Brannstrom and his agent have to know there isn’t a ton of pressure on the Senators to move off their preferred contract structure here.
Now that’s not to suggest that the Senators have a ton of options on the blueline and they don’t need Erik Brannstrom. That’s clearly not the case. He’s certainly one of their top six defenceman right now and depending on how quick Jake Sanderson adjusts, could be playing top four minutes to start the season. At least based on the current and for some reason still Jakob Chychrun-less depth chart. At the same time, nobody should be under the impression that Brannstrom has peaked as a hockey player. There’s still plenty of room for growth in his game and he definitely took some encouraging steps forward last season.
And so we wait. Until later this afternoon, I assume, now that’s I’ve posted this article.
When do you think Erik Brannstrom signs? Is he looking at a one-year or two-year deal? Any interesting theories on modern economics? Oh and, when the hell is Jakob Chychrun getting here?
Discuss.
