Dallas Deals Fabian Brunnstrom to Toronto

[ScottRasner]

Frisco, Tex. – The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has traded left wing Fabian Brunnstrom to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for right wing Mikhail Stefanovich.

Stefanovich, 21, has played 15 games with Minsk Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), recording one goal and two penalty minutes. The Minsk, Belarus native, dressed in two games for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) going scoreless and appeared in four games for the Reading Royals (ECHL), collecting five points (3g, 2a) this season.

The 6-2, 202-pound right wing skated three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Quebec Remparts, tallying 210 points (106g, 104a) in 171 games for the club. Stefanovich also recorded 36 points (18g, 18a) in 36 career QMJHL playoff games with Quebec. He was Toronto’s third round selection (98th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Brunnstrom, 25, has played in 37 games for the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the AHL, posting 21 points (11g, 10a). He has played 99 career NHL games, all with Dallas, collecting 40 points (19g, 21a). The Jonstrop, Sweden, native agreed to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $675,000 on July 23, 2010 with Dallas. He was originally signed as a free agent by Dallas on May 8, 2008.

[fottere via]

I remeber there being a bit of a bidding war for this guy a few years ago. The Bruins were involed if I remember correctly.

He also scored a hat trick in his first NHL game too..

LOL, guess hes not doing so well anymore...

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by fottere via

I remeber there being a bit of a bidding war for this guy a few years ago. The Bruins were involed if I remember correctly.

He also scored a hat trick in his first NHL game too..

LOL, guess hes not doing so well anymore...

Never really found a role in Dallas it seemed. Guys like Neal, Benn, Eriksson all took his spot. Saw he was on their 3rd line for a while but there really wasnt any room for him.

Never the less Toronto taking a flyer on him isnt a bad move.

[The Dougler]

Well considering Stefanovich is in the KHL and not doing much I can't say I'm not happy to see him go. He couldn't stick with the Marlies the last two years and was bitching to Eakins about ice time which he thought he deserved.

Seems like AHL trash for KHL trash but here's hoping Brunnstrom can turn it around

[I_am_Belak_2]

Not a care in the world for this trade.

[Gunslinger]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Not a care in the world for this trade.

Is this the blockbuster forward Burkie has been waiting for? Typical Leaf deal. All thats left is to give him a 5 year, 50 million dollar deal. Also typical for the Leafs.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Is this the blockbuster forward Burkie has been waiting for? Typical Leaf deal. All thats left is to give him a 5 year, 50 million dollar deal. Also typical for the Leafs.

What? It's basically just an AHL deal.

[grits207]

Stefanovich is almost likely never going to play in North America again so it's not like the Leafs are giving any thing up. He couldn't crack the AHL, sucked in the ECHL and is now struggling in the KHL.

Brunnstrom has been a bust so far but he will at least give the Marlies some more depth.

[Gunslinger]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

What? It's basically just an AHL deal.

I know. I just can't resist an opportunity to bash the Leafs. I don't get out much.

[canuckfan]

Bit of a resurrection project here for the Leafs, and there is a Dave Nonis - Brunnstrom connection here. Back when there were 10 teams pursuing Brunnstrom back in 2008, it was rumoured he was the closest to signing with Vancouver, because he and Nonis, the Canucks GM at the time, had hit it off pretty good. But the Canucks miss the playoffs, Nonis got canned, and Brunnstrom got turned off of Vancouver and signed with Dallas shortly after - now he's back in Nonis's grubby clutches again.

Interesting to see if this will do anything for his career, but so far he has been a total bust. Change like this could do him good though...

[Cat Smasher]

Less than 100 games in the NHL, with 40 points, the Marlies should enjoy him for their push. And if he picks it up should get a call up as well. Got him for nothing.

[leafs_fan77]

Burke said in the 1st intermission tonight that is to help the Marlies out. They are pretty banged up and losing Boyce, Crabb and Reimer isn't helping.

It's a very minor upgrade for our AHL team.

[skacore]

Can't complain about this trade, at least Brunnstrom has some hype (albeit fading) around his name. The guy obviously has some sort of talent hidden deep inside, outstanding in the SEL and 17 goals in 55 games as a rook, hat trick his first NHL game. No doubt his game is slacking but look at MacArthur, it doesn't hurt to have guys with talent around and give them a second life.

Maybe he'll see an NHL game eventually, maybe he won't, but the move can't hurt

[PilotsFan]

Originally Posted by grits207

Stefanovich is almost likely never going to play in North America again so it's not like the Leafs are giving any thing up. He couldn't crack the AHL, sucked in the ECHL and is now struggling in the KHL.

Brunnstrom has been a bust so far but he will at least give the Marlies some more depth.

Far from a bust for the Leafs, Brunnstrom just needs the right chance and ya never know. Like someone else said, he was just outplayed by a few guys at the right time. He showed flashes and he's still young so I wouldnt give up on this kid too quick.

As a Stars fan that watches the minors I have to put a big question mark by this deal. Seems a salary dump is the only explination.

[PilotsFan]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

Less than 100 games in the NHL, with 40 points, the Marlies should enjoy him for their push. And if he picks it up should get a call up as well. Got him for nothing.

I agree with this thought process.