According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, he’s citing former NHL player Guillaume Latendresse, who notes that the Arizona Coyotes are working on a one-year contract with Derick Brassard. The deal is not done, but heading in that direction, says Friedman.
Related: Derick Brassard Provides Update on NHL Free Agency Status
Brassard will leave the New York Islanders after a short stint with the organization and join his eighth NHL franchise since 2007.
On Monday, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple indicated Brassard would not be returning to the Islanders for the 2021 season. The Islanders have a number of players rumored to be on verbal contracts and still haven’t re-signed Mathew Barzal. Brassard simply wasn’t in the cards for them.
About a month ago, Brassard provided an update on his status as a free agent when he chatted with Le Droit’s Marc Brassard. He said he’d turned down some offers from European teams in the hopes another NHL team shows interest. Apparently, that team is the Coyotes.
Brassard, 33 years old, is coming off a decent season with the New York Islanders — he recorded 10 goals and 22 assists in 66 games. It’s interesting that more teams weren’t calling considering the likelihood that the Coyotes get this deal done for league minimum and on a one-year contract. Brassard could be a nice trade piece for the Coyotes at the deadline should they not make the postseason.
Next: Behind-the-Scenes Talk About How Hoffman to the Blues Came About
