Brunner leaves a $1.7 million contract on the table and will sign with HC Lugano (per swisshockeynews.ch). Brunner served as a healthy scratch in the last four games and had just seven points (2G / 5A) in 17 games this season.
Brunner had recorded seven points (2G / 5A) in 17 games this season. It was a bit surprising to see him on waivers considering all the injuries that the Devils are battling up-front.
Brunner has 4 points in 12 games this season
Brunner missed the last two games after suffering a leg injury last Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets. He will play his first game against his former team tonight, when the Red Wings come to New Jersey. Brunner will skate on the second line with Patrik Elias and Adam Henrique. Brunner has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 42 games this season.
Brunner has missed the last 14 games with a sprained MCL but will slide back onto the Devils' third line with Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias tonight. Brunner has 14 points (8G / 5A) with a minus-6 rating and 70 shots on goal in 32 games in his first season with New Jersey.
Brunner has been out since December 20 because of a sprained MCL but was back on the ice skating on a regular line on Monday. He was skating with Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus so it looks like he will be back in tomorrow. The Swiss forward has 13 points (8G / 5A) in 32 games in his first season with the Devils.
Brunner was injured after playing just 4:17 in Friday's game vs. the Ducks. He had eight goals and five assists in 32 games prior to the injury.
Mattias Tedenby will enter the lineup in Brunner's place tonight vs. Los Angeles. Brunner has failed to record a point in the last 10 games. He had seven points in the first 10 contests but has cooled off considerably. The entire New Jersey offence has struggled and ranks 25th in scoring.
Brunner missed Saturday's contest with the Rangers due to general upper-body soreness. He returns to the lineup tonight with three goals and two assists in his first seven games with the Devils. He will skate on a line with Andrei Loktionov and Dainius Zubrus.
He had not shown up to the Devils locker room at 5:30 PM EST, presumingly out tonight.
Brunner was in Devils camp on a professional tryout but has obviously impressed them enough to earn a contract. The 27-year-old had 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 games in his first NHL season with the Red WIngs.
Brunner joined the Detroit Red Wings last season and scored 12 goals and recorded 26 points in 44 games. Before July 5, Brunner reportedly turned down separate two- and three-year extensions from the Red Wings, worth $3.5 million a year.
Brunner has been nagged by this sore hip for a few weeks now and it has severely impacted his play. We expect him to return to a top 6 role but it may not be enough to jolt his performance.
Given the severity of the injury and the fact that the injury has been nagging Brunner for as long as his production has decreased, Brunner can be safely dropped for another player to help you down the stretch.
Brunner is doubtful tonight with an undisclosed injury.
It sounds like Brunner will not be available to the Red Wings tomorrow but monitor his status again tomorrow just to be sure.
Babcock said he'll decide after warmups which forward to scratch to make room for Brunner.
Brunner has not scored in his last 12 games. He has just five assists in his last 12 games. After a hot start to the season he may have hit a wall because he is not used to the heavy schedule.
Brunner is already expected to start alongside Zetterberg and Datzyuk on the Red Wings first line. If he plays the point on the teams first PP that will add to his already growing pre-season fantasy value.
You can't ask for a better potential NHL debut than this. Brunner and Zetterberg played together in the Swiss League during the lockout and can now bring that chemistry to Detroit's top line.
