By Canadian Press

Senators acquiring Brassard from Rangers makes immediate impact

Jul 18, 2016 | 3:25 PM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators are so convinced Derick Brassard will make an immediate impact in their lineup that they gave up a piece of their future to get him. 

The Senators traded Mika Zibanejad and a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL draft to the New York Rangers for Brassard and a seventh-round pick in 2018 in a trade announced Monday.

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion admitted trading the 23-year-old Zibanejad was a difficult decision, but feels the addition of Brassard, 28, will benefit the Senators immediately.

“Mika has great potential down the road, but we felt with Derick we were getting someone who was more proven, a better hockey player at this point in time,” said Dorion. “Our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs again and we feel that Derick’s going to help us make the playoffs and there’s also more there. We feel that Derick provides great talent, brings leadership into our room.”

Last season Brassard, a native of nearby Gatineau, Que., led the Rangers with a career-high 27 goals and was second on the team with 58 points.

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Brassard, drafted sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2006, has 127 goals and 343 points through 563 games.

Zibanejad, drafted sixth overall in 2011, leaves the Senators with 64 goals and 151 points through 281 games.

Zibanejad posted back-to-back 20-goal seasons, putting up 21 goals and 30 assists last season. He established career highs in games played, goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (seven), and faceoff win rate (50.5 per cent).

“I think the potential is there for more upside,” Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton said of Zibanejad. “He is just scratching the surface at age 23. There are not a lot of guys who have done what he has done as far as scored 20 before that age.”

In Brassard, the Senators feel they have a player who will help get them back to the post-season.

“He’s definitely someone who brings a lot more than just what the numbers show,” said Dorion. “It’s someone who plays a complete game, a guy who loves the game of hockey, someone who plays with a passion that isn’t always easy to find in every player. He’s in the prime of his career.”

In addition the Senators feel they’ve found the left-handed centre they’ve been coveting.

Zibanejad will be a restricted free agent after the 2016-17 season and will earn US$2.62 million.

Brassard is under contract through 2018-19, earning $5 million annually.

Brassard said he was a little surprised by the news. He was informed of the trade by text after the Rangers were unable to reach him.

Brassard will be joining a number of familiar faces. He and Marc Methot were teammates in Columbus and are good friends. He recently played at the World Championships with Cody Ceci and Mark Stone and is acquaintances with Jean-Gabriel Pageau. In addition he played for Guy Boucher in Drummondville in the QMJHL.

“I’m really happy to be joining the Sens and playing at home. I really like their team.”

Brassard sees himself as a top-six forward and expects to have a big role with the team.

“I’ve really like the way the team has played the last two seasons and now with the arrival of Guy I think it will give them another edge and more energy,” said Brassard. “I’m really happy to be joining them and I’m excited for the start of the season.”

Having grown up just outside of Ottawa, Brassard will have numerous friends and family in attendance and the Senators are hoping playing for his hometown team will be added incentive.

“There’s pressure everywhere you play in the league,” said Brassard. “I want to be a big part of the team and I’m going to do everything that I can to play well every night.

“I’m not going to put any more pressure on myself than I did anywhere else since I got into the league. The fact I’m 28 and I’ve been in the league seven, eight years will probably help. I’m more mature now.”

Notes: Dorion said negotiations are ongoing with restricted free agents Ceci and Mike Hoffman with conversations being held with both agents over the weekend and ideally the Senators would like to avoid upcoming arbitration hearings.

___

With files from The Associated Press

Lisa Wallace, The Associated Press