Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - As the NHL Trade Deadline came to a close on Friday at 3 p.m., the Buffalo Sabres were able to make a late deal that will likely impact their farm team in the American Hockey League.
The Sabres made a trade with the New York Rangers, acquiring defenseman Erik Brannstrom in exchange for winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Both players will report to the American Hockey League following Friday's trade.
Brannstrom's time in North America has not quite gone as expected after being drafted as a first-round pick by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Draft.
After being taken with the 15th overall pick in the first NHL Draft for the Golden Knights, Brannstrom made the jump to North America from Sweden during the 2018-19 season. He spent half the season developing in Vegas' farm system before being traded to the Ottawa Senators as part of the Mark Stone deal.
In parts of six seasons with the Senators, Brannstrom went on to score seven goals and add 62 assists for 69 points in 266 games. However, after being touted as an undersized, but skilled offensive defenseman with the puck in his draft year, it has not translated all to well for him at the top level.
After not being tendered to a qualifying offer by the Senators after last season, Brannstrom was signed to a one-year deal by the Colorado Avalanche in the offseason. However, he never made a single appearance in Denver, as he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks just before the start of the regular season.
In 28 games this season in Vancouver as a depth defenseman, Brannstrom scored three goals and added five assists for eight points.
Then on Jan. 31, Brannstrom was included as part of a trade package to the Rangers for J.T. Miller, but never made an appearance with in New York, as he was sent to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
In just six games played in Hartford, the 25-year-old has scored a goal and added three assists for four points.
As for Aube-Kubel, he signed with the Sabres this past offseason to a one-year deal after spending last year with the Washington Capitals organization.
During his 19-game tenure with the Sabres as a fourth-line winger, Aube-Kubel scored only a goal and added an assist before being placed on waivers. After clearing waivers, Aube-Kubel put up eight points (4+4) in 12 games with the Rochester Americans.
The 28-year-old was a former second-round pick (48th overall) of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2014 NHL Draft.