Islanders Derick Brassard Can't Go Back to Center

Derick Brassard was brought in to fill a third-line center role for the Islanders in 2019-20. But through 18 games it's clear he's actually a top-six winger.

With two points against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday Islanders forward Derick Brassard now has 13 points in 18 games. That puts him on pace for 59 points over a full 82 game season.

Brassard was picked up by Lou Lamoriello in the bargain bin of the 2019 free agency window. With a single year $1.2 million deal, Brassard was brought in to anchor the third line and fill the spot vacated by Valtteri Filppula.

But as the injury bug hit the Islanders, and Jordan Eberle had to sit out for a few weeks, there was an opening on the Islanders…