Derick Brassard spent nearly two decades bouncing between some of the NHL’s most storied franchises, building a reputation as a reliable playoff performer wherever he landed. For a player who never quite became a household name, his longevity and consistency tell a story that’s easy to overlook.
This article breaks down Derick Brassard’s full career arc, his multiple stints with the Ottawa Senators, what his contract history actually looked like, and a realistic look at his net worth based on career earnings. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just came across his name in a trade retrospective, this covers what you need to know.
Who Is Derick Brassard?
Derick Brassard, born September 22, 1987, in Hull, Quebec, is a Canadian professional hockey centre. He was selected sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2006 NHL Draft, a pick that placed real expectations on him early in his career.
He spent his prime years centring top-six lines for multiple franchises, known more for playoff production and two-way reliability than flashy regular-season stat lines. Brassard’s career is a useful case study in what a long, steady NHL career looks like without ever becoming a superstar.
Derick Brassard’s NHL Journey: Team by Team
Few players in recent memory have worn as many different jerseys as Brassard did. Over his career, he appeared for eight different NHL teams, a number that eventually grew even higher.
Here’s a breakdown of the stops along the way:
| Team | Years | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 2007–2013 | Drafted 6th overall in 2006 |
| New York Rangers | 2013–2016 | Reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 |
| Ottawa Senators | 2016–2018 | Acquired in a trade for Mika Zibanejad |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 2018–2019 | Part of a three-team blockbuster trade |
| Florida Panthers | 2019 | Brief stint before another trade |
| Colorado Avalanche | 2019 | Traded within weeks of joining Florida |
| New York Islanders | 2019–2020 | One season with the club |
| Arizona Coyotes | 2020–2021 | Posted 20 points in 53 games |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2021–2022 | Signed for an $825,000 AAV |
| Edmonton Oilers | 2022 | Acquired via trade deadline deal |
| Ottawa Senators (2nd stint) | 2022–2023 | Returned on a tryout, then signed |
His trade deadline move to the Oilers made him one of only nine NHL players to have dressed for ten or more teams in a career, a stat that says a lot about how highly regarded he was as a depth and leadership addition around the league.
Derick Brassard and the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa holds a unique place in Brassard’s story, since it’s the only franchise he played for twice. He first joined the Senators in July 2016, arriving in a trade that sent Mika Zibanejad to the New York Rangers — a deal Ottawa fans still debate to this day given how Zibanejad’s career developed afterward.
His second stint began quietly. Brassard attended Senators training camp in 2022 on a professional tryout contract and recorded three points in four preseason games before earning a one-year, $750,000 deal. Reflecting on the return, Brassard said it was clear from his conversation with coach D.J. Smith what his role would be, and that he appreciated the honesty around it.
That second run also delivered a personal milestone. On March 2, 2023, Brassard played in his 1,000th career NHL game, a mark reached by a relatively small group of players in league history.
Derick Brassard Hockey Stats: Career Totals
Numbers alone don’t capture everything about a nearly 20-year career, but they do tell part of the story.
- Regular season games: 951 games played, with 522 points (202 goals, 320 assists) as of his final full NHL tally
- Playoff experience: 118 Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording 68 points (25 goals, 43 assists)
- Draft position: 6th overall in 2006
- 1,000-game milestone: Reached March 2, 2023
His playoff scoring rate holds up particularly well against his regular-season numbers, which is part of why several playoff-contending teams kept trading for him throughout his career.
Derick Brassard Contract History
Brassard’s contract situation shifted significantly in his final NHL seasons, moving from a top-line salary earlier in his career to a series of modest, incentive-driven deals as a veteran depth piece.
- Philadelphia Flyers (2021): Signed a one-year deal worth $825,000 AAV
- Ottawa Senators (2022): Signed a one-year, $750,000 contract following a strong training camp tryout
- Contract status: That Senators deal expired at the end of the 2022–23 season, after which he entered unrestricted free agency
Where Does Derick Brassard Play Now?
After his NHL contract wound down, Brassard didn’t retire outright. He now plays for Genève-Servette HC in Switzerland’s National League, continuing his career in Europe after parting ways with the NHL. It’s a common path for veteran North American players looking to extend their careers at a high level once NHL opportunities dry up.
Derick Brassard Net Worth: A Realistic Estimate
Exact net worth figures for professional athletes are rarely confirmed publicly, and Brassard hasn’t disclosed personal finances. That said, a reasonable estimate can be built from his known career earnings.
Across roughly 16 NHL seasons, including several contracts in the $4–5 million range during his prime with Columbus, the Rangers, and Ottawa, Brassard’s career NHL earnings are widely estimated in the range of $35–40 million before taxes and agent fees. Combined with his continued playing income in Switzerland, most reasonable estimates place his current net worth somewhere in the $10–15 million range, though this figure isn’t independently verified and should be treated as an informed approximation rather than a confirmed number.
Why Net Worth Estimates for Athletes Vary So Widely
Publicly available salary data only tells part of the story. Taxes, agent commissions, investment decisions, and post-career income all affect the final number, which is why different sources often disagree significantly on athlete net worth figures.
Common Questions About Derick Brassard
Is Derick Brassard still playing hockey? Yes. He’s continued his playing career overseas with Genève-Servette HC in Switzerland’s National League after his run in the NHL wound down.
How many times did Derick Brassard play for the Ottawa Senators? Twice. His first stint ran from 2016 to 2018 following the Zibanejad trade, and his second stint ran from 2022 to 2023 after signing off a professional tryout.
What team drafted Derick Brassard? The Columbus Blue Jackets selected him sixth overall in the 2006 NHL Draft.
Did Derick Brassard ever win a Stanley Cup? No, though he came close, reaching the Stanley Cup Final with the New York Rangers in 2014.
Final Thoughts
Derick Brassard’s career reflects something the box scores don’t always capture: reliability, adaptability, and staying power in a league that chews through talent quickly. From his draft day expectations in Columbus to his playoff runs, trade deadline moves, and eventual return to Ottawa, Brassard built a career defined by resilience rather than headlines.
Curious how his stats stack up against other players from his draft class, or want a deeper look at any specific season? Stick around for more hockey breakdowns covering the players who quietly shaped the league for nearly two decades.
