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A Flame From the Past: Erik Gudbranson
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Jan 31, 2026, 12:30 ESTUpdated: Jan 30, 2026, 23:31 EST
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Do you remember Erik Gudbranson?
Every once in a while, we take a look at a player who once played for the Calgary Flames in a series called “A Flame From the Past.” This player has to have played a significant number of games for the Flames. I’ll put every Flames’ season into a Wheel of Names, and this time, it landed on the 2021-22 season. In this article, we’ll look at Erik Gudbranson.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Gudbranson began his junior career about two hours down the road in Kingston with the Frontenacs. In 2008-09, the right-shot defenceman scored three goals and 22 points in 63 games, followed by two goals and 23 points in 41 games the following season, with a goal and three points in seven playoff games. That performance led to the 6’5”, 222 lbs defenceman being selected third overall in the 2010 draft by the Florida Panthers.
In Gudbranson’s final junior season, he scored 12 goals and 34 points in 44 games. He also represented Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship, scoring three goals and five points in seven games, as Team Canada picked up a silver medal.
Gudbranson hasn’t produced like you’d expect a player third overall too, but he’s been a consistent NHL presence over the last decade and a half. In his rookie season in 2010-11, he scored two goals and eight points in 72 games, helping the Panthers finish first in the Southeast Division. In seven playoff games, he was held pointless.
The lone time he’s played in the American Hockey League was in 2012-13, playing two games with the San Antonio Rampage during the lockout. Over 32 games once the lockout ended, he had four assists in 32 games. In 2013-14, Gudbranson scored three goals and nine points, finishing with 114 penalty minutes, the most in a single season of his career.
Then, Gudbranson scored four goals and 13 points in 2014-15, breaking his career-high in goals (at the time) and reaching the double-digit point mark for the first time in his career. For his final season with the Panthers in 2015-16, the right-shot defenceman scored twice and had nine points in 64 games, while being held pointless in six post-season games.
Shortly after the end of the 2015-16 season, Gudbranson was sent to the Vancouver Canucks with picks for Jared McCann and picks. In his first season in British Columbia, the right-shot defenceman scored a goal and six points in 30 games. He followed that up with two goals and five points in 52 games during the 2017-18 season. After two goals and eight points in 57 games in 2018-19, Gudbranson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ending the season with the Penguins, Gudbranson picked up two assists in 19 games, but scored his first career post-season goal in the four games he played. After seven scoreless games to begin the 2019-20 season, Gudbranson was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. In just 44 games, the right-shot defenceman scored four goals and nine points in 44 games.
Before the start of the pandemic-impacted 2020-21 season, Gudbranson was traded to his hometown of Ottawa to play for the Senators. In 36 games, he scored a goal and three points, but was traded to the Nashville Predators before the trade deadline. He picked up an assist in nine games, and was held pointless in two post-season games.
Shortly before the start of the 2021-22 season, Gudbranson signed a one-year deal with the Flames for a little under $2 million. As you know, the 2021-22 Flames had the franchise’s best season since 2003-04, finishing with 111 points, which topped the Pacific Division. Gudbranson scored a career-best six goals and added 11 assists for 17 points, the best of his career up to that point. He played 12 post-season games, where he had an assist.
Thanks to the strong season, Gudbranson was able to sign a four-year deal worth $16 million with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his first season with the team in 2022-23, he scored a goal and 13 points in 70 games, the third time he had double-digit points. He set career bests in 2023-24, scoring six goals and 26 points, the only time he’s hit more than 20 points in his career.
Unfortunately, Gudbranson has played just 27 games over the past two seasons, 16 during the 2024-25 season when he had four assists, and just nine this season where he has two assists. At the age of 34, expect Gudbranson to remain in the league for a few years at the very least.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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