Brannstrom signed a three-year contract with Lausanne HC of Switzerland's National League on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Brannstrom collected three goals, eight points, 33 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and 14 hits across 28 regular-season appearances with Vancouver in 2024-25 before ultimately being dealt to the Sabres via the Rangers at the trade deadline. He also earned eight goals and 15 assists in 27 AHL regular-season outings between Abbotsford, Hartford and Rochester in the 2024-25 campaign. Brannstrom is eligible for restricted free agency in July, and the Sabres can retain his NHL rights by issuing him a qualifying offer.

Brannstrom was flipped to the Sabres from the Rangers for Nicolas Aube-Kubel on Friday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brannstrom was previously acquired by New York as part of the J.T. Miller deal but never appeared in an NHL game for the Rangers. His stint with AHL Hartford was decent, recording four points in six minor-league games for the Wolf Pack. Given the depth on the blue line in Buffalo, even with the departure of Henri Jokiharju, Brannstrom will likely stay in the minors for the time being.

Brannstrom was traded to the Rangers from the Canucks on Friday, along with J.T. Miller and Jackson Dorrington, in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a protected first-round draft pick, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Brannstrom couldn't stick on the Canucks hodgepodge blue line, it doesn't look good for him getting much playing time with his new NHL club. Expect Brannstrom to report to AHL Hartford following the trade. The 25-year-old has eight points over 28 appearances this season and has played in the NHL in parts of the last seven campaigns, so he represents a veteran option should the Rangers suffer injuries on defense.

Brannstrom was placed on waivers Sunday, Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brannstrom figures to join AHL Abbotsford, should he clear waivers. The 25-year-old defenseman had been a healthy scratch in Vancouver's last six games after logging three goals and eight points in 28 contests earlier this year.

Brannstrom logged a power-play assist, four blocked shots and five PIM in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Flames.

EDGE Analysis

Injuries to Quinn Hughes (undisclosed) and Filip Hronek (lower body) have left the Canucks scrambling for a power-play quarterback. That job belongs to Brannstrom for now, and those injuries have also bought him a bit more job security after he was scratched five times over eight contests between Dec. 10-23. His helper Tuesday was his first power-play points since 2022-23. The 25-year-old has eight points, 33 shots on net, 39 blocked shots, 17 PIM and a minus-4 rating through 28 outings this season. He's worth a speculative add in fantasy as long as he's playing on the first power-play unit.

Brannstrom has been scratched in five of the Canucks' last eight games after sitting out Monday's 4-3 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Brannstrom played a significant role early in the season as Derek Forbort was out due a personal situation and a knee injury. Now that Forbort is healthy, Brannstrom's playing time has dropped as the two defensemen compete for one spot on the third pairing. The 25-year-old has seven points, 29 shots on net, 35 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating through 26 appearances in his first year with the Canucks.

Brannstrom netted a goal in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Brannstrom buried a one-timer past Ville Husso off a feed from Elias Pettersson to tie the game at 4-4 with 3:20 left in the third period. It was Brannstrom's first goal since Nov. 16 against the Blackhawks. The 25-year-old has been a fixture on Vancouver's third defensive pairing, and he's chipped in three goals and four assists through 20 games. The Swedish blueliner is tracking toward a career year -- his career-high mark in points is 20, which he set last season.

Brannstrom posted an assist and three shots on goal in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Predators.

EDGE Analysis

Brannstrom continues to find offense from a third-pairing role. He has four points (two goals, two assists) over his last four outings, and he's added 11 shots on net in that span. This season, the 25-year-old blueliner is at six points, 21 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 14 appearances. He topped out at 20 points in the 2023-24 campaign, his last one with the Senators, but perhaps the Canucks have unlocked another level in Brannstrom's play.

Brannstrom scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

This was Brannstrom's second goal and third point over the last three games. The defenseman continues to hold down a third-pairing role for the Canucks, though he saw a season-high 16:42 of ice time in this contest. Brannstrom has five points, 18 shots on net, 14 blocked shots, seven hits and a plus-2 rating through 13 appearances this season.

Brannstrom scored a goal on four shots, dished an assist, blocked three shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.

EDGE Analysis

Brannstrom helped out on Pius Suter's go-ahead goal in the second period before adding an insurance tally himself in the third. The 25-year-old Brannstrom has emerged as a regular on the Canucks' third pairing. He's up to four points, 15 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 11 contests this season. He'll have to compete with Noah Juulsen for playing time, but that appears to be a battle Brannstrom has an advantage in so far.