Brannstrom gets nearer to spot on opening day Sens’ roster
VANCOUVER The numbers would appear to be adding up for Erik Brannstrom, but he’s not counting on anything just yet.
“There is a little bit of pressure, but I’m just trying to play and have some fun,” the 20-year-old defenceman said Tuesday of his bid to crack the Ottawa Senators’ roster for the start of the National Hockey League season.
That is, of course, easier said than done. Following the shoulder injury to Christian Wolanin before training camp and Sunday’s demotion of Max Lajoie to Belleville of the American Hockey League — a mild surprise because it occurred with three exhibition games remaining — Brannstrom’s odds have increased significantly.
If, as expected, the Senators begin the season with seven defencemen, only one of the current eight would not remain. That will most likely be 29-year-old Cody Goloubef, but the Senators must also be careful in not giving Brannstrom, their star prospect, too much too soon.
He arrived with a lot of hype in the trade for Mark Stone in February.
There have been some moments in training camp, but he hasn’t flashed much of the offensive flair he previously showcased in the AHL.
He’s expected to play Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks beside Ron Hainsey, which was a combination coach D.J. Smith used at the start of training camp.
Brannstrom played Monday alongside Dylan DeMelo.
“Pretty good,” Brannstrom said when asked about his own game in the contest that the Senators lost 6-4.
“I think I’ve played better games, but I think I’ve played OK. I can play better.” kwarren@postmedia.com Twitter.com/Citizenkwarren