Colorado Avalanche’s Newest Forward Derick Brassard Nets 1st Goal
The Colorado Avalanche’s new acquisition, Derick Brassard, impressed his new team by scoring a go-ahead goal in the third period.
The Colorado Avalanche acquired Derick Brassard from the Florida Panthers on Monday morning before the NHL trade deadline at 1:00 pm MT. With the Cats in town for their game at Pepsi Center, the initial move for Brassard was an easy one.
What wasn’t easy was thinking you’re going to play with one team under one coach and one set of systems and then have that turned completely on its head. Presto changeo, off you go to a locker room full of players you’re mostly only familiar with facing off across the ice.
More from Mile High Sticking
- Could Colorado Avalanche move on from Pavel Francouz next offseason?
- 4 goalies to replace Pavel Francouz if he has to miss time
- Colorado Avalanche make sneaky signing with Tatar
- Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog could return in 2023-24 playoffs
- Colorado Avalanche rookie face-off tournament roster
Brassard saw at least one face he recognized — Matt Calvert. The 29-year-old Calvert had spent his entire career with the Blue Jackets before coming to Colorado in free agency this summer. That means he played two-and-a-half seasons with Brassard before the latter was traded to the New York Rangers.
Indeed, Calvert relayed during his post-game presser that the now-31-year-old Brassard let him stay at Casa Brassard for a couple months when he first broke into the NHL.
Anyway, by Derick’s own admission, he spent his first few shifts trying to get used to his new team. Understandably, the coaching staff put him on a line with Calvert. Tyson Jost lined up on Brassard’s other wing.
Well, right away Brassard showed a knack for two important skills the Avalanche often lack. He started shooting right away, especially on the power play. And he won a lot of faceoffs — 75%, to be exact. The Avs haven’t had a faceoff specialist since Matt Duchene was traded last season.
Anyway, their line was pure fire last night. They were speedy and hard-working on the puck all game long. Jost was the first to be rewarded with a nifty play that put the Avalanche up 1-0 in the second period.
Brassard, who has struggled to find the back of the net this year, found his 11th goal of the season. He got the go-ahead goal midway through the third period.
The play started in Colorado’s end. Rookie defenseman Ryan Graves drove the puck up the ice and behind the Florida net. Before Graves disappeared behind the net, he sailed a saucer pass to Brassard, who one-timed the puck past goalie Roberto Luongo:
What a goal. One-timers are difficult even with teammates who are used to practicing with each other. But look at the rookie set up the new guy, who capitalizes on the play.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog, of course, “congratulated” Brassard by spraying water in his face as he skated by. But, hey, that’s how he knows he’s part of the team.
Next. Are the Avs Becoming Scary Good Again?. dark
Unfortunately, the Colorado Avalanche went on to lose the game. What should have been the game-winning goal against Brassard’s former team was negated by the false-68, Mike Hoffman. The game went to overtime, and the OT Curse continued for the Avs.
However, Brassard made a good impression on his new team. Hopefully he can solidify true chemistry with Jost and Calvert to create that much-needed secondary scoring.