The New York Rangers made a minor trade on deadline day, sending defenseman Erik Brannstrom to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel. While the trade primarily impacts the AHL, the Rangers sacrificed some defensive depth to bring in another forward as they prepare the Hartford Wolf Pack for the upcoming AHL playoffs.
Since both players are on NHL contracts, the trade had to be completed now, ahead of the AHL trade deadline. Aube-Kubel, a solid bottom-six forward option, could provide the Rangers with depth in case of injuries. The trade suggests both teams may have been focused on other deals, as the Rangers were reportedly interested in acquiring J.J. Peterka.
Aube-Kubel, a Stanley Cup champion with the 2022 Colorado Avalanche, is perhaps best known for denting the Cup during the on-ice celebrations. Since then, he’s played for the Maple Leafs, Capitals, and Sabres, having started his career with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Brannstrom, a left-shot defenseman acquired by the Rangers as part of the J.T. Miller trade, had been playing with the Wolf Pack in the AHL. With Carson Soucy joining the Rangers from Vancouver, Brannstrom’s chances of breaking into the NHL lineup were slim. This trade gives both players a chance to make an NHL impact for the remainder of the season and to compete for a spot next year.
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