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Derick Brassard Was A Good Investment For New York Rangers

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When the New York Rangers gave center Derick Brassard a five-year contract worth $25 million in the offseason, it seemed to be an extremely risky use of a lot of money. Sure, he’s played well since coming over from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade two seasons ago, but was it worth giving him $5 million a year for half of a decade? While a lot can change in five years, Brassard is proving that he was indeed worth it, at least to this point.

Brassard has had a great season so far, with 12 goals and 23 assists in 43 games – that’s good for third on the team in points behind only Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis. Brassard also ranks third among Rangers forwards in average ice time. Brassard has done more than just produce points on a consistent basis; he has also developed into an unlikely leader on the team.

Whether it was money well spent or not, the Rangers needed to re-sign Brassard because they desperately needed another quality center icemen. Brassard has rewarded the Rangers’ front office by making a difference every single night. His longest streak without a point is only three games, and that has happened just once so far this season. Brassard plays hard and has made the players around him better as well.

He already had great chemistry with Mats Zuccarello from playing alongside him almost all of last season. That duo has stuck together this season and added All-Star Nash on arguably New York’s best line.

Brassard has a lot to do with Nash currently leading the league in goals. Brassard has assisted on 10 of Nash’s 28 goals this season, and that’s with the two playing the beginning of the season on different lines. Although they started the season on different lines, Nash, Brassard and Zuccarello have played great together, and it seems that head coach Alain Vigneault won’t be splitting them up any time soon.

Brassard has proven to be a complete center, with the ability to help the Rangers in all situations and on both sides of the ice. He’s been an exceptionally great asset on the power play, just as he was last season. Brassard leads all Rangers in power play points with 14, including 10 assists. He is a better passer than he gets credit for, but then again, he’s one of the most underrated centers in the league in general. He may not be regarded as one of the best in the league, but he is one of the most valuable players to his particular team.

Even with the Rangers re-signing Brassard in the offseason, the team is still considered weak at center in terms of depth. With that said, just think of where New York would be this season without Brassard, especially considering they lost Derek Stepan to a broken leg before the start of the season. Stepan and Brassard are the two centers who need to lead this team for years to come, and they have been two of New York’s best players this season.

There’s no telling what the future will hold, but right now it seems like Brassard is worth every penny of the $5 million he’s making this year. We’ll see if it pays off in the long run, but Brassard is a player who seems to be getting better each season.

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