Canucks acquire Erik Brannstrom from Avalanche
The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Erik Brannstrom from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Tucker Poolman and a fourth-round pick in 2025.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have acquired D Erik Brannstrom from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Tucker Poolman (20% salary retained) and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 6, 2024The deal comes one day prior to the deadline for starting roster submissions on October 7th at 5 p.m. The Canucks move on from Poolman’s contract and can start the season without any players on LTIR, while also getting a solid, young defenseman in Brannstrom in return. Meanwhile, the Avs get an asset for Brannstrom, who didn’t find a place in their lineup.
The Canucks proceeded to place Brannstrom on waivers for the purpose of reassignment to their minor league affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.
Brannstrom is coming off of his most productive season, as he had 3 goals and 17 assists for 20 points in 76 games for the Ottawa Senators in 2023-24. It bested his previous career highs of 2 goals and 18 points, both of which were set in 2022-23.
Brannstrom signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Avalanche in the offseason after the Senators opted to not give him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Poolman hasn’t played a game in almost two years, having only played three games in October 2022 before missing the rest of the season due to neurological complications with migraines that have affected him since the 2021 season. He missed the rest of that 2022-23 season and the 2023-24 season, and is expected to miss all of this season as well before the expiration of his four-year contract with a $2.5 million cap hit.
The Canucks also retained 20% of Poolman’s contract in the trade, meaning that he only has a $2 million cap hit for the Avalanche.
The Canucks begin their season on Wednesday when they host the Calgary Flames in Vancouver at 10 p.m. EST.
The Avs also start their season on Wednesday, as they travel to Las Vegas to take on the Vegas Golden Knights at 10 p.m. EST.