The New York Rangers completed a small trade on deadline day, sending defenseman Erik Brannstrom to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel. While it’s a minor league transaction, the move sees the Rangers sacrificing some defensive depth to strengthen their forward group. This trade makes sense for New York as they look to reinforce the Hartford Wolf Pack ahead of the AHL playoffs in the coming months.
Since both players are on NHL contracts, this trade had to be completed before the NHL deadline rather than waiting for the AHL trade cutoff in a few days. Nicolas Aube-Kubel provides the Rangers with a solid bottom-six option in case of injuries, and they moved a depth defenseman who was essentially a throw-in from the J.T. Miller trade. The timing of the deal suggests that both teams were prioritizing other transactions, possibly involving their NHL rosters. Given the Rangers’ known pursuit of J.J. Peterka, it’s possible this trade came together after other discussions fell through.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel brings championship experience to the Rangers, having won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. He’s perhaps best remembered for accidentally denting the Cup during the team’s on-ice celebration in Tampa. Since his time in Colorado, he has bounced around the league, making stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and Buffalo Sabres. Before that, he began his NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Erik Brannstrom, a left-shot defenseman, joined the Rangers as part of the return from Vancouver in the J.T. Miller trade. He was assigned to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack and remained there, with little chance of cracking the Rangers’ lineup, especially after the team acquired Carson Soucy from the Canucks. This trade gives both Brannstrom and Aube-Kubel a fresh opportunity in the NHL for the rest of the season, allowing them to prove themselves as they play for contracts and roster spots next year.
