The Philadelphia Flyers have traded defenceman Justin Braun to the rival New York Rangers. Philadelphia will get a third-round pick in return for the defender. Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek was the first to break news of the deal.
Justin Braun to NYR
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) March 21, 2022
Flyers Make Justin Braun Trade
Braun has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 61 games this season for the Flyers. The 35-year-old blueliner has a Corsi for of 41.5 and a relative Corsi of -8.6.
The Minneapolis native has played for the San Jose Sharks and the Flyers over his 12-year NHL career. Braun has 33 goals and 162 assists in 783 goals over his decade-plus career. San Jose originally drafted him in the seventh round, 201st overall of the 2007 NHL Draft.
He played for the University of Massachusetts of the NCAA before he reached the National Hockey League. Braun made the Hockey East first team in 2009-10. He’s also represented Team USA at the 2012 IIHF World Championships, where the Americans finished seventh.
What it Means
The Rangers add a rugged defender to the backend of their lineup. New York is serious about making a charge at their first Stanley Cup since 1994. He’s more of a stay-at-home defenceman that be physical and use the body.
The cost of a third-rounder is a relatively low one for Rangers General Manager Chris Drury. Braun’s cap hit is also $1.8 million and his conract expires at the end of the season. This seems also be on the lower-end of the risk scale when it comes to contract length and money.
Braun is also pretty experienced in the post-season as he’s played in 100 playoff games during his career. His best post-season was in 2015-16 with the Sharks when he got two goals and five assists for seven points. San Jose reached its first Stanley Cup Final that season, but lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
The Flyers also continue their teardown that included the trade of their captain Claude Giroux.
