Justin Brazeau was the latest Penguin free agent signee to talk to the media in the summer, and this could be an interesting one to dive into a little bit.<\/p>\n
Brazeau commands attention with his 6\u20196\u201d, 227 pound frame. There aren\u2019t many human beings that large on skates.<\/p>\n
Brazeau\u2019s story to make it to this point is an interesting one of a path less traveled:<\/p>\n
Started out as a nothing NHL prospect in his draft yearsBlossomed with a 61 goal in 68 game season in his over-age season in the OHL in 2018-19Signed by Kyle Dubas to an AHL contract, scored 55 points in 57 games with ECHL Newfoundland in 2019-20Took a step back in his second pro year, advanced to AHL Toronto but only scored 4G+1A in 21 gamesSigned with AHL Providence to a contract in 2021, started off in ECHL and again did well (20 points in 18 games), promoted in-season to AHL and performed better with 31 points in 51 gamesSolid third pro season for AHL Providence in 2022-23 with 45 points in 67 gamesGreat fourth pro season in 2023-24 that saw him score 37 points in 49 AHL games then sign an NHL contract and make NHL debut with Boston scoring seven points (5G+2A) in 19 gamesFull-time NHLer in 2024-25 for the first time, scored 10G+10A in 57 games with Boston, traded at deadline to Minnesota where things didn\u2019t go as wellSigned $3 million contract for two years ($1.5m annual) with Penguins in summer 2025<\/p>\n
That\u2019s quite the journey of growth and perseverance. You don\u2019t see too many players out there make their NHL debut at age-26 like Brazeau did. He started from the bottom of the heap being undrafted and having to prove himself at each progressive level going up the ranks and found a way to do just that.<\/p>\n
As always, confidence is key.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith every game, every day in the NHL, I think my confidence has kind of started to build and grow, getting adjusted to the speed of the game and the timings and stuff like that,\u201d Brazeau said. \u201cSo, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s any one thing in particular. I think it\u2019s just kind of that confidence and knowing that you belong in this league and you can be a good player.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also gave a fairly accurate and honest self-scout on his game:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a really good player at establishing that net-front,\u201d Brazeau said. \u201cI\u2019m not going to be flying through the neutral zone, making a ton of plays off the rush and stuff like that. I think I\u2019m more of a simple player in that sense.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut once we get in that zone, (it\u2019s about) extending possessions off rebounds or winning battles off that initial forecheck and stuff. So, I think that\u2019s something in my game that I do really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
That rings true for his Advanced Hockey Stats player cards<\/a>:<\/p>\n As Brazeau says, he will use his body to forecheck and hit opponents. Speed and playing off the rush isn\u2019t in his arsenal, given his skating limitations. But he can be effective down low and in front of the net. Surprisingly, Brazeau has demonstrated the ability to create some chance assists and high danger passes in his small sample too, which might be worth looking out for if he adds a little more playmaking than might be expected.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/braz2.png\"\/)
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