Derick Brassard, most recently of the Ottawa Senators, has decided to make it official as he retires. Congrats to the great competitor on a productive and well-respected NHL career that lasted 16 seasons and saw him play over a 1000 NHL regular season contests. Brassard was well-liked by his teammates, and if not for a scary injury while playing with Ottawa, would probably have still be in the Sens middle-six for 2024-25.
Derick Brassard has announced his retirement after 1,013 NHL games with 10 different teams.
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— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 24, 2024
NHL Veteran Centre Derick Brassard Retires
In 1013 career games, Brassard had 215 goals and 330 assists for 545 points. He was always tremendously reliable and consistent. His career best totals came as a member of the New York Rangers. In 2014-15, he had 41 assists and 60 points. Then, in 2015-16 he added his career-high in goals at 27. It was actually only one of two times he hit the 20-goal mark in the NHL. Furthermore, an underrated stat is his career was a takeaway/giveaway differential that was positive, at +8. He also maintained a solid CF% Rel of 8.6 throughout his career. During the height of his career, around the time of his career-highs, this in 2016-17, as a member of the Senators his career-best CF% Rel was 13.7.
It is difficult to quantify a lot of what Derick Brassard brought to the table. He was a competitor, and someone who could be relied upon to get the job done. Also, his teammates looked up to him, as someone who could keep it loose, but not at the expense of sacrificing his professionalism that he brought to the rink every night.
Talking About What He Brought to the Table, Every Night
Perhaps the biggest intangible that Brassard brought, and fitting with Game 7 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup final slated for tomorrow night, was his playoff performances. Senators fans remember the big 2017 playoff run. That year Brassard had 11 points in 19 games, and skated a big 18:11 a night. Moreover, in the 2013-14 run with the New York Rangers he had some highlights, including three points in Game 5 in a second round matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In all, Brassard recorded double-digit points in four different playoff trips. In 118 career playoff games, he had 68 points.
Anyway you seem to look at it, Derick Brassard brought whatever it is, to the table. Coaches and teammates were glad to have him around. On top of the teams we mentioned, he also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Florida Panthers, the Colorado Avalanche, the New York Islanders, the Arizona Coyotes, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Edmonton Oilers.
Main photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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