Derick Brassard better start embracing life as a bottom-6 center. 51 Days into NHL free agency, Brassard has finally found a team for the 2019-2020 season, agreeing to a one year, $1.2 million contract today with the New York Islanders.

Brassard after a 14 goal, 23-point campaign in 2018-2019, saw his market go about as expected. Entering free agency, executives projected Brassard to be in a situation where he was going to have to accept a one year deal in the $1 million range and that’s right around where things eventually played out.

On the ice Brassard looked like a damaged player physically and mentally in stints with Pittsburgh, Florida and Colorado last season. If teams thought Brassard’s issues were only between the ears and that he was a strong bounce-back candidate, he would not have still been available in late August.

Playing behind Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson, Brassard is once again entrenched as a bottom-6 center.