The Buffalo Sabres made a second trade on Friday, acquiring Erik Brannstrom from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel.
Brannstrom, 25, tallied eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) across 28 games with Vancouver this season before being traded to New York on January 31. Since the move, the 5-foot-10 defenseman has been playing with Hartford in the AHL.
Originally selected 15th overall by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Draft, Brannstrom was previously traded from Colorado to Vancouver on October 6, 2024. Over the course of his NHL career, he has been involved in four trades and has accumulated 77 points (10 goals, 67 assists) in 294 games. General manager Kevyn Adams confirmed that he will join Rochester (AHL).
Aube-Kubel, who signed as a free agent last July, recorded one goal and one assist in 19 games for the Sabres before clearing waivers and being assigned to Rochester on January 28.
Earlier in the day, Buffalo landed forward Josh Norris in a trade with the Ottawa Senators.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].