POTG Justin Braun Review

Just joined this sub this year (only second year playing HUT) and decided to write up my first review. Only fitting that it would be my first TOTW player that I brought onto the team. Needed another SB and DR to activate and he was in my budget. Haven't been using him for a long while but he's been the perfect addition to my third pairing on D.

Cost: ~$15k, I got him around $10k
Line: Base Vlasic - TOTW Braun
Synergies Activated: TW, SB, DR

Stats:
**GP:**13 **G:**0 **A:**5 **PTS:**5 +/-:+7 **PIM:**4

Skating: (9/10)
With DR, SB, and TW activated Braun is about as solid as they come for a third pairing. Braun has been silky smooth getting back and I've yet to notice him getting burned by faster forwards (sure it's coming, I'm only in division 3 thus far). His agility and balance are top notch making sure that he doesn't get turned against top lines and he's stout enought to play the body too.
Relevant Stats: Acc 92 (+3), Agl 96 (+7), Bal 95 (+7), Spd 9 (+3)

Shooting: (6/10)
Shooting isn't Braun's strong point. While he has decent enough power on his wrister and slap shoot his accuracy leaves one wanting. Then again if you're picking him up for offense, well he is a defensive defenseman. I have had some luck with him on tips though, provided you get it on target.

Hands: (7/10)
I doubt you'll ever be in a position with him to try and dangle anyone though his deking isn't atrocious. Where you'll notice Braun more is in the corners and the break out. He's solid picking up the puck in the corners, isn't stripped easily, and has good break out passes especially for those of you who like to rush your wingers and go for the snip show.

Checking: (8/10)
The one thing you don't want to do with Braun lurking is enter the zone thinking you can just skate around him. With the bonuses to his skating he can lay the lumber and often does breaking up many zone entries a game for me single handedly.
Relevant Stats: Chk 90 (+3), Dur 91 (+4)

Defense: (10/10) This is why you got Braun. All Braun does is shut down other teams best players. Often times I find him being the D-man being attacked most often but I've never worried with him standing guard in front of my Emery. In fact after a few failed attacks followed by my counter I find most people resort to just trying to put it on the net from the outside and hoping for a good rebound. Braun does a great job of keeping players to the outside. If you get too close to him he'll just poke it off of you, and if you just say F it he'll just block it. He's been my favorite defensemen outside of Blake thus far.
Relevant Stats: DAW 93 (+3), Blk 97 (+4), StkChk 96 (+3)

Conclusion: Braun is the perfect D-man for that third pairing for the cost conscious player, especially if you are running the synergies above. I have two higher rated base dmen who will come out of my lineup before Braun does. Another good synergy for him is T, trying to get that right now myself to further beef up his defense.