Brassard talks about being traded for Zibanejad

Hindsight is always 20/20, but perhaps this trade didn't make much sense to a lot of people even at the time. In July of 2016 Mika Zibanejad was traded by Ottawa to the New York Rangers (along with a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft) in exchange for Derick Brassard and a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Zibanejad was 23 at the time, Brassard was 28. Zibanejad was a 6th overall pick of the Sens in 2011 and had all the makings of a solid, reliable centre. Brassard had set a career high in goals with the Rangers the previous season, but would not thrive at all in the next two seasons with the Sens, putting up 39 and 38 points respectively. Zibanejad would steadily develop into a core player and leader for the Rangers, culminating in a 30 goal, 74 points season in 2018-2019.

Brassard will appear on a podcast with Newsday reporter Andrew Gross later this week, but in a snippet released by Gross, even Brassard admits he doesn't understand the trade.

"When you look back now, it didn't make any sense."

Brassard, now 32, is currently playing with the New York Islanders. He has one game so far this season and zero points. Zibanejad, now 26, has been on fire in his two games with the Rangers so far, putting up four goals and four assists for eight points.

MUST READ

43 minutes ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Even NHL executives are stunned by the latest twist in the Dylan Larkin trade

1 hour ago  |  By David St-Jean The Oilers have officially chosen their next head coach, per Stauffer

2 hours ago  |  By David St-Jean We finally know what Kent Hughes turned down for a second-line center, and it's unbelievable

2 hours ago  |  By David St-Jean The Canadiens may be rethinking their plans for Ivan Demidov

3 hours ago  |  By David St-Jean Oilers owner sidesteps Stan Bowman as coaching search takes unexpected turn

4 hours ago  |  By David St-Jean Brendan Gallagher makes a statement that already has Canadiens fans excited

5 hours ago  |  By David St-Jean It's official: Gavin McKenna's worst-case scenario has come true

6 hours ago  |  By David St-Jean Vancouver Canucks decision involving Brendan Gallagher is finally confirmed: there is officially interest

MORE STORIES