Erik Brännström has found confidence in himself and comfort in his role

The 25-year-old defender has greatly appreciated the two defenders in the Canucks’ coaching staff. Whether it’s learning how to properly dispose of a player from Adam Foote or breaking down decision-making with Sergei Gonchar, Brännström feels a different player-coach relationship than the one he has in Vancouver.

“Gonch and Footer have been great. They talk to me a lot, show me video and tell me the things they want me to work on. The difference with (these coaches) is they tell you what to work on with and then shows you how to work with these things. They were both such talented players. It’s great to take it all in and work with them on things,” said Brännström.

Head coach Rick Tocchet talked about how Brännström gives the Canucks a lot of options in the backend. He helps bring an offensive punch from the backend, and it comes into play when the Canucks take offensive zone draws.

“If we’re down, we get him out there a little more,” Tocchet said. “He is creative and he can get the puck in the net. He’s a mobile guy and can get away from people on the wall, stuff like that.”

Tocchet and his staff have been working with Brännström to find the right time to pinch, and the head coach wants Brännström to continue to improve on knowing where to be when there is a board battle. He gave credit to the Swedish defender for how he has taken the information and said he has really liked his game in the last few games.

Now feeling comfort and support with the Canucks, Brännström has found a spot in the lineup where he can be a contributor on a night-in-night-out basis. His offense continues to shine when opportunities present themselves and he is starting to fit into Tocchet’s system.

Insider Extra

When Brännström joined the Canucks, one of the faces he recognized was Nils Höglander.

The two Swedes have known each other for over 10 years, and their first memory goes back to a hockey camp in Sweden, where Brännström’s father was a coach.

In that camp, Höglander played forward, but the surprise came when Brännström told us that he was a goalkeeper at the time. Brännström said he was either 11 or 12 at the time and that he played goalie when he played up an age group.

Höglander laughed when we asked him how many times he thinks he would score on Brännström now if he got 10 penalties with Brännström in the net.

“I would score at least eight out of the 10. I don’t think he’s good in the net,” Höglander said with a smile as Brännström passed.

“He’d be too small to be a goalie. But back then, it was a fun time. They’re back in time, and it’s cool that we’re on the same team in the NHL now.”