Sabres trade Nicolas Aube-Kubel to Rangers for Erik Brannstrom
The Buffalo Sabres have traded right winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Erik Brannstrom, reports TSN’s Chris Johnston.
Through 19 appearances with the Sabres this season, Aube-Kubel has recorded one goal and one assist for two points alongside 17 penalty minutes and a minus-four rating. The 28-year-old native of Slave Lake, Alta., has also seen 12 appearances with the AHL affiliated Rochester Americans in which he has posted four goals and four assists for eight points with six penalty minutes and a plus-three mark.
Originally chosen 48th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2014 NHL Draft, Aube-Kubel has totaled 301 career contests with the Flyers, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and Sabres in which he has tallied 32 goals and 48 assists for 80 points. Aube-Kubel has also added three points through 30 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
For Brannstrom, the 25-year-old Swedish-born blue-liner joins the Sabres following six showings with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, in which he collected one goal and three assists for four points with two penalty minutes and a plus-two rating. Originally acquired from the Vancouver Canucks alongside forward J.T. Miller in early February, Brannstrom saw 28 appearances with the Canucks earlier this season in which he scored three times and added five assists for eight points coupled with 17 penalty minutes and a minus-four rating.
Originally chosen 15th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Draft, Brannstrom has seen 294 career contests with the Ottawa Senators and Canucks in which he has totaled 10 goals and 67 assists for 77 points. With the Senators in 2023-24, Brannstrom reached a career-high 20 points counting three goals and 17 assists coming in 76 games.
Per PuckPedia, Aube-Kubel can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, while Brannstrom is eligible for restricted free agency.