Justin Braun traded by Flyers to New York Rangers

Trade deadline day is upon us, and the Philadelphia Flyers have been involved with wheeling and dealing players and assets even before today. After Saturday’s Claude Giroux-Owen Tippett trade, the Flyers today traded defenseman Justin Braun to the New York Rangers in exchange for a 2023 3rd-round pick. This is the third pick the Flyers own in that draft’s round between their own, Florida’s, and now New York’s.

Braun was held out of yesterday’s 2-1 home win over the New York Islanders due to asset management so he could stay healthy in case he was dealt. The 35 year-old right-handed defender from Minneapolis, Minnesota has appeared in 61 games this season for Philadelphia, registering 5 goals and 11 assists for 16 points while averaging 20:02 of ice time a game. He also has racked up 79 hits and 114 blocked shots this year. His 5 goals tie a career-high previously set in 2017-18 while with the San Jose Sharks.

The former 7th-round pick of the Sharks back in 2007 will serve in a depth role with the Rangers, helping shore up their blueline in front of likely Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shersterkin as they prepare to try and make a Stanley Cup run. Braun joins a defensive group in New York that includes reigning Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, budding star K’Andre Miller, 2020 1st-round pick Braden Schneider, and Jacob Trouba. He can help ease the load off from their top-four group and can also play meaningful minutes on a strong Rangers penalty kill that currently ranks ninth in the league.

He probably won’t be used as heavily as a Ranger as he was with the Flyers, as the Rangers can also shield him a bit and allow him to stay fresh and play a bit more relaxed compared to what he was tasked with in Philadelphia. He’s also a player with plenty of experience under his belt with 783 NHL contests and another 100 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In those 100 games includes a Stanley Cup Final back in 2016 with the Sharks along with current Flyers backup goaltender Martin Jones, who could also be potentially traded today.

Braun leaves the Flyers with 9 goals and 32 assists for 41 points in 176 games in Orange and Black. He is a hard worker who played very well in his role with the Flyers and he’ll look to keep up his fine play in New York.