Now that Derick Brassard is a New York Ranger for the next five years, the Rangers’ offensive numbers shall hopefully increase. Brassard’s 2013-2014 season was one of the best of his best of his career, he was a key player all season long. Adding assists and goals at key moments during the season, he will get even better this year. With the hopes of a better power play, Brassard may become a leader on the man advantage, though I think that veteran Dan Boyle will be the quarterback and run the show from the blue line. I really think the power play will be on fire this up coming season.
Starting from his draft day in 2006, where he went 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Brassard saw his first NHL experience in 07-08. That season he tallied up two points, one goal and one assist in 17 games played. His offense improved greatly the following year, 10 goals, 15 assists in 31 games played. Each year his numbers have only gone up, except for the lockout shortened 12-13 season where Brassard split time with the Jackets and the Rangers, with both teams combined he had 29 points. Last year, Brassard had 45 points in total, 18 of which were goals and 27 were assists.
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Brassard really came through last year, he was one of our best offensive players. 7 goals and 11 assists came on the power play, put that together with Dan Boyle‘s numbers (6 goals and 12 assists on the man advantage), AND adding points from Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, and Rick Nash (who all showed okay performance on the PP), the power play may be headed in the right direction. The team certainly have the man power, it just hasn’t started to click yet. This year will be the greatest test.
Alain Vigneault‘s play style is based around the offensive style of the puck, so we are ready to have a deadly power play. This will also come in handy in the post season. If you have a good power play, you can have a great year. In 23 playoff games last year, Brassard had 12 points, 6 goals and 6 assists. Now is this a low number? Yeah, based on his regular season play. But in the playoffs, nobody gives an inch so its understandable. It’s debatable, but understandable. I think his offensive production will see an increase in the post season next year.
Eyes On Isles
With that being said, what will Brassard provide for us this season? I’d like to hope he could give us 20 goals and 30 assists, though I think we’d all love to see a bit more but he can get there. Is he the next Marian Gaborik? Not a chance. But he could become a great play maker. He already is good on the puck; his vision might be the greatest and strongest quality he has. Remember that sweet goal Dan Girardi scored in OT against the New York Islanders on April 13th 2013? Give a guess who gave him that sweet back hand sauce… Derick Brassard. Brassard’s numbers are only going to go up this year and every year that comes. If he stays healthy, he’ll be on the road to playing all 82 regular season games next year. And any playoff games that are thrown his way…
Derick Brassard has become a name that many Rangers fans have come to love. I remember the day we got him. The NHL Trade Deadline had come last year, and Torts had traded Marian Gaborik and two defenseman in the minors, for Brassard, Derek Dorsett, and John Moore, as well as a 6th round draft pick. I also remember that Brassard’s first game made Rangers fans think this guy was a monster. Brassard’s first game as a Ranger was played against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He and Ryane Clowe were on fire, and that night the Rangers dominated the Pens and their top players. That was a fun game, Brassard gave Rangers fans some hope. We almost didn’t make the playoffs that year. I’m really looking for big things from Brassard next season, I hope he can help lead us on the road to success.