The New York Rangers were busy on the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline day, making a deal with the Buffalo Sabres. In the trade, Nicolas Aube-Kubel was sent to Buffalo, while the Rangers acquired Erik Brannstrom (known as “The Brannchise” to Senators fans). Now, let’s break down what happened.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel joins the Rangers, while Erik Brannstrom heads to the Sabres following a trade
The trade had to start with the playoff-caliber team—sorry, Brannstrom. The New York Rangers are firmly in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, making this deadline move significant. Aube-Kubel has bounced between the NHL and AHL this season but is still considered an NHL-caliber player. His style is well-suited for playoff hockey. In 19 games with the Sabres this season, he has recorded two points. Known for his physicality, he has registered 100 or more hits in four NHL seasons. With recent moves like acquiring J.T. Miller and trading away Ryan Lindgren, it has certainly been an eventful stretch for the Rangers organization.
Erik Brannstrom Joins the Buffalo Sabres
With the trade involving Brannstrom and Aube-Kubel, there are several factors to consider. Brannstrom’s development through the Ottawa Senators system has been slow, and at 25 years old, he has yet to fully realize his potential. That said, his skill level is undeniable. Over his career, he has accumulated 67 assists and 77 points across 294 regular-season games.
Back in 2021-22, Brannstrom was logging nearly 20 minutes per game. He is an exceptional skater and could thrive under the right circumstances, particularly with power-play opportunities. In over 330 career minutes on the man advantage, he has posted strong production rates, exceeding three points per 60 minutes multiple times. Additionally, he was frequently paired with Thomas Chabot, making it hard to argue that he was the issue. Under former GM Pierre Dorion, he never truly received a proper opportunity.
Ultimately, the Rangers are making a desperate push for the playoffs—an unusual position for their fans. The additions of J.T. Miller, Brannstrom, and Carson Soucy at the deadline signal an attempt to retool on the fly. As for the Sabres, Brannstrom has the potential to develop into a top-four, offensively minded defenseman. He hasn’t reached that level yet, but a fresh start in Buffalo could provide the right opportunity. In the end, this trade seems to favor the Rangers.