Canucks send D Tucker Poolman, pick to Avs for D Erik Brannstrom
The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Erik Brannstrom from the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, sending defenseman Tucker Poolman and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in exchange.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said his team will retain 20 percent of the salary of Poolman, who is scheduled to earn $3 million this season in the final year of a four-year, $10 million deal signed in 2021.
Brannstrom, a 25-year-old Swede, was the 15th overall pick of the 2017 draft. In July, he signed a one-year deal with the Avalanche after spending parts of six seasons with the Ottawa Senators.
In 266 career games, Brannstrom has 69 points (seven goals, 62 assists) and 145 penalty minutes.
The Canucks had hoped to trade Poolman, an Iowa native, to free salary cap space. Poolman played three games in the 2022-23 season and hasn't played since Oct. 18, 2022, because of migraines and neurological issues related to concussions.
Allvin said last month that Poolman would not play in the 2024-25 season because of health.
Poolman, 31, appeared in 163 games over parts of five seasons with the Winnipeg Jets (2017-18, 2019-21) and Canucks (2021-23). He has 23 career points (six goals, 17 assists).
