Erik
Gudbranson
D · CBJ · Limited · Very poor
- PAL
- 0
- WAR
- -0.9
- Value
- 1
- PTS
- 3
2025-26№ 313 / 325
Erik Gudbranson (Columbus Blue Jackets) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Erik Gudbranson
HEIGHT : 196 cm · WEIGHT : 101 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : January 6, 1992 · Ottawa, Canada
Drafted : 2010 · FLA · round 1, pick #3
Contract : $1,750,000 · 2026-27 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract · UFA
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 2025-26 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 37 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 19 |
| 2024-25 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 16 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| 2023-24 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 78 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 74 |
| 2022-23 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 70 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 57 |
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | 78 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 68 |
| 2020-21 | Nashville Predators | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| 2020-21 | Ottawa Senators | 36 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 47 |
| 2019-20 | Anaheim Ducks | 44 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 91 |
| 2019-20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 19 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | Vancouver Canucks | 57 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 83 |
| 2017-18 | Vancouver Canucks | 52 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 35 |
| 2016-17 | Vancouver Canucks | 30 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 18 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 64 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 49 |
| 2014-15 | Florida Panthers | 76 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 58 |
| 2013-14 | Florida Panthers | 65 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 114 |
| 2012-13 | Florida Panthers | 32 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 47 |
| 2011-12 | Florida Panthers | 72 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 78 |
| NHL totals | 854 | 35 | 106 | 141 | 871 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | Nashville Predators | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011-12 | Florida Panthers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Playoff totals | 31 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 12 | |
Erik Gudbranson: our analysis
2025-26 season: 37 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PTS, +6 +/-, 17:46 TOI. WAR -0.9 (313th of 325) · PAL 0, very poor.
In 2025-26, Erik Gudbranson, 34, posts a PAL Rating of 0 out of 100 (very poor), and his WAR of -0.9 ranks 313th among 325 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
His strengths: power play (69, above average). On the other hand, possession (0, among the weakest in the league) and defense (2, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), no component is positive; the costliest: EV offense (-2.4).
A marked decline: his PAL was 12 in 2023-24, against 0 now; his WAR went from -0.5 to -0.9.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 1 (very poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Erik Gudbranson's story
Raised in the Ottawa area, Erik Gudbranson first made a name for himself as a large, physical blueliner in junior hockey before Kingston selected him in the OHL Priority Selection. His time with the Frontenacs showcased a defender comfortable in his own zone and able to log heavy minutes against top competition.
Gudbranson entered the NHL picture when the Florida Panthers chose him third overall in the 2010 entry draft. He graduated to the Panthers' roster for the 2011–12 season, scoring his first NHL goal that December and taking part in Florida's return to the playoffs that season.
His professional journey has involved several moves across the league. Florida traded him to the Vancouver Canucks in May 2016, where his physical style was an intended fit. Vancouver later extended him in 2017 (one year, $3.5M) and again in 2018 (three years, $12M). He was sent to Pittsburgh in February 2019 for Tanner Pearson, then dealt to Anaheim in October 2019. In October 2020 he was traded to his hometown Senators, and at the 2021 deadline Nashville acquired him. He signed a one-year deal with the Calgary Flames in September 2021, posting career highs in several categories that season, and in July 2022 he agreed to a four-year, $16 million contract to join the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Internationally, Gudbranson represented Canada at the junior level and collected a silver medal at the 2010–11 World Junior Championship, experience that underlined his ability to contribute in high-stakes tournaments.
Gudbranson's game is straightforward: he brings size, strength and a defensive mindset. Rather than producing offense regularly, he has built a career on clearing the front of his net, blocking shots and using physicality to limit opponents, serving teams as a stabilizing, stay-at-home presence on the back end.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 15:31
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:01
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:15
- Pts/GP
- 0.08
- EV points
- 1
- Hits
- 12
- Blocks
- 24
- Takeaways
- 0
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 46.9 %
- Off. zone starts
- 31.5 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
7between 1 and 13 (80% range)
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 6
- Games
- 48
So far: 1 pts in 12 games. The team has played 15 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.16 pts per game (last season: 0.08).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Declining
- Points per game: 0.33 in 23-24, 0.08 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 12 → 0
Outlook, age included
↓ DecliningAge 34: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 79 %
42
Replacement or prospect
- SK
- Skating
- 76
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 80
- Confidence 83 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 71
- Confidence 75 %
- DU
- Durability
- 58
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 78
- Confidence 83 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 87
- Confidence 55 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 75
- Confidence 83 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 59
- Confidence 79 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 63
- Confidence 79 %
- DF
- Defense
- 46
- Confidence 76 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 88
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating76
- Top speed (35 %)35.8 · 79
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.937 · 76
- Distance /60 (20 %)13.8 · 64
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.1 · 81
ST — Strength80
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)4.616 · 71
- Body mass (50 %)1.382 · 86
EN — Endurance71
- Ice time per game (45 %)18.7 · 74
- Total ice time (20 %)639 · 61
- Shift length (15 %)49.6 · 81
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)17.3 · 75
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.635 · 78
DU — Durability58
- Share of games played (100 %)0.676 · 58
CK — Checking78
- Hits /60 (70 %)4.047 · 79
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)3.544 · 79
- Season volume (10 %)3.829 · 73
FG — Fighting87
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)1.421 · 87
DI — Discipline75
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.039 · 76
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.672 · 73
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.44 · 78
PA — Passing59
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.26 · 62
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.325 · 63
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.15 · 53
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.268 · 79
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.206 · 72
SC — Scoring63
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.159 · 66
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.143 · 59
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.253 · 76
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.042 · 56
- xG per shot (10 %)0.033 · 61
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)9.046 · 70
DF — Defense46
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.175 · 46
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.332 · 42
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.997 · 42
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.163 · 62
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.605 · 84
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)62.7 · 37
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)5.638 · 87
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience88
- Career regular-season games (65 %)95
- Career playoff games (25 %)65
- NHL seasons (10 %)94
OV — Overall42
- DF · Defense (30 %)46
- PA · Passing (22 %)59
- SK · Skating (12 %)76
- SC · Scoring (12 %)63
- EN · Endurance (9 %)71
- ST · Strength (6 %)80
- DI · Discipline (5 %)75
- CK · Checking (4 %)78
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 42 | 76 | 63 | 46 |
| 2024-25 | 57 | 77 | 66 | 53 |
| 2023-24 | 57 | 77 | 66 | 55 |
| 2022-23 | 48 | 83 | 49 | 45 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-0.9
wins above replacement
313 of 325
PAL Rating
0/ 100
Performance · Very poor
250 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
1/ 100
Very poor return
4.00 M$ · expected PAL 62
ProfileLimitedBelow average at both ends
- Offense
- 1
- Defense
- 2
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 10
- Creation
- 16
- Shooting
- 20
- Possession
- 0
- Defense
- 2
- Discipline
- 47
- Power play
- 69
- Penalty kill
- 47
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | -0.9 | 0 | 1 | 4.00 M$ |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | -0.5 | 12 | 6 | 4.00 M$ |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | -2.4 | 1 | 0 | 4.00 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
35/ 100
Below average
better than 35% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
26/ 100
Below average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
43/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 146 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 36
- Shot selection
- 8
- Penalties drawn
- 66
- Puck management
- 62
Defense
- Takeaways
- 34
- Discipline
- 53
- Safe zone exits
- 44
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | 35 | 26 | 43 |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 28 | 18 | 44 |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | 7 | 8 | 17 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-0.9
wins above replacement
-1.3 to -0.6 — 90% interval
313 of 325 defensemen
-4.6 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -2.4
- EV defense
- -2.3
- Power play
- 0.0
- Penalty kill
- -0.6
- Shooting
- -0.1
- Penalties
- -0.5
- Average → replacement
- +1.3
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | 37 | -0.9 | -1.3 to -0.6 | 313/325 |
| 2024-25 | CBJ | 12 | -0.2 | -0.3 to -0.1 | 254/314 |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 78 | -0.5 | -1.6 to 0.4 | 282/316 |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | 70 | -2.4 | -3.0 to -1.4 | 334/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 148.4 km/h76th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.0 km/h48th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 858th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 38.8 %16th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 43.1 km35th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 4.52 km30th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 40.6 %26th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.2 %54th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 43.1 %16th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 831st percentile | 049th percentile | 0.0 %27th percentile |
| High danger | 051st percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Mid range | 136th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 543rd percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
DAL
CAR
PHI
VGK
TOR
MIN
NYR
FLA
STL
PIT
UTA
BUFErik Gudbranson: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Erik Gudbranson have in 2026-27?
Erik Gudbranson has 0 goals and 1 point (1 assist) in 12 games in 2026-27.
How old is Erik Gudbranson?
Erik Gudbranson is 34 years old: he was born on January 7, 1992.
How tall is Erik Gudbranson, and how much does he weigh?
Erik Gudbranson is 6'5" (196 cm) and weighs 223 lb (101 kg).
Where is Erik Gudbranson from?
Canada: Erik Gudbranson was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
What team does Erik Gudbranson play for?
Erik Gudbranson plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL, at D, wearing number 44.
Is Erik Gudbranson injured?
No: Erik Gudbranson is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Erik Gudbranson?
Erik Gudbranson produced -0.9 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 313th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 0 out of 100: very poor for his position.
How much does Erik Gudbranson make?
Erik Gudbranson earns $4.0M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 1 out of 100 (very poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Erik Gudbranson's contract end?
Erik Gudbranson's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent.
Is Erik Gudbranson overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 1 out of 100 (very poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Erik Gudbranson a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 313th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Erik Gudbranson getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 12 in 2023-24 to 0 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Erik Gudbranson played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Erik Gudbranson has 1 point (0 goals, 1 assist).
What are Erik Gudbranson's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Erik Gudbranson has 854 games, 35 goals, 106 assists and 141 points. His best season: 2023-24, with 26 points in 78 games.
Where was Erik Gudbranson drafted?
Erik Gudbranson was drafted 3rd overall (round 1) by Florida Panthers in 2010.
Is Erik Gudbranson better at home or on the road?
On the road: in 2026-27, he averages 0.00 points per game at home (0 in 7 games) and 0.20 on the road (1 in 5 games).
How does Erik Gudbranson perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Erik Gudbranson has 31 games and 2 points in his career. His pace (0.06 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.17).
Which player is most similar to Erik Gudbranson?
Dmitri Simashev: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Dmitri Simashev's page →Is Erik Gudbranson a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 7 points in 2026-27, or 0.15 points per game.
Does Erik Gudbranson have siblings?
Yes: his brother Alex Gudbranson (drafted by the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection; plays with the North Dundas Rockets of the EOSHL), his sister Chantal Gudbranson (played hockey for the Guelph Gryphons).
What is Erik Gudbranson's nationality?
Erik Gudbranson is Canadian. Internationally: Canada — silver medal at the 2010–11 World Junior Championship.
What awards has Erik Gudbranson won?
Bobby Smith Trophy (OHL Scholastic Player of the Year) — 2010.
Where did Erik Gudbranson play before turning pro?
Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), 2008–2011.
How many points is Erik Gudbranson projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 7 points in 48 games in 2026-27 (1 to 13 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Columbus Blue Jackets teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)