Rangers Send Erik Brannstrom to Buffalo for F Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Well, the big blockbuster trade between the Rangers and Buffalo we've all been waiting for... Nicolas Aube-Kubel for Erik Brannstrom. Brannstrom, we hardly knew ya.

This could not come as more of an underwhelming deal to be made but that is largely in part to all of the rumors surrounding the Rangers potentially in conversation to go for J.J. Peterka. Perhaps a trade like that is more of an off-season possibility but for now, let's talk about what the Rangers have in this minor deal.

The Rangers acquired Brannstrom as part of the J.T. Miller trade which at the time, made a ton of sense for them. The trade came less than two months after the Rangers acquired Urho Vaakanainen in the Jacob Trouba trade so there was still some uncertainty as to how Chris Drury was looking to reimagine the Rangers' defense core. Since then, the Rangers also brought on Calvin de Haan, Carson Soucy and still have Zac Jones and Chad Ruhwedel on top of it.

If it wasn't already clear that the Rangers now had a surplus on defense, the extension Urho Vaakanainen signed this morning certainly went to show that there wasn't much of a need for a guy like Erik Brannstrom, at least at this point. That brings us to, Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

Excuse me... that's Stanley Cup Champion Nicolas Aube-Kubel. The once upon a time second round draft pick since turned journeyman depth forward, Aube-Kubel helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 and has bounced around a number of different teams in the years that followed. After two full seasons with the Washington Capitals, Aube-Kubel signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres this summer. During which, he registered a goal and an assist across 19 games with them as well as four goals and four assists in twelve games with the Rochester Americans in the AHL.

What does Aube-Kubel bring to New York? He's the type of player that gives 110% every time he's on the ice. He's not going to put up a ton of points for you, mostly plays right wing but can move around the lineup as needed in a bottom-six role. He's strong defensively, can help kill penalties and most notably, act as forward depth in the event the Rangers do make the playoffs and look to make something out of it.

Certainly would have been nice to see what Erik Brannstrom could have been for the Rangers but with all the other additions to the back end, it made sense for a move like this. It will be interesting to see how he slots in to this current group but for now, it appears that the Rangers are done for this year's trade deadline.

Aube-Kubel will also report to the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack.