Nov 12, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen (2) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Andrew Cracknell (24) battle for the puck in the second period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Senators trade rumors are heating up in Canada’s capital city after Bob McKenzie reported on “TSN Insiders”, that Ottawa is exploring the trade market to help fill a hole up front. The Sens have an excellent cast of young forwards in Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Mika Zibanejad, Bobby Ryan (getting older, but still young), and Kyle Turris. But they could use another impact forward in the top six.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
If the Senators trade rumors are true, Ottawa is strong enough on the blue-line, making them capable of sacrificing a defenseman. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson would be untouchable. Beyond him, there’s only three guys with trade value, two of which the Sens would be reluctant to trade. Patrick Wiercioch may be the next closest to untouchable, but any player can be had for the right price. Next would be youngster Cody Ceci with impressive offensive skills from the back-end. Lastly, Jared Cowen is the most likely candidate to be put in front of other GMs in trade talks. He’d be of interest to some teams, but isn’t likely to garner much as trade value.
One of the oldest Senators trade rumors is already being linked as a “must-take contract” in any deal, Colin Greening‘s $2.65 million dollar cap hit through 2016-17. Surely the Sens are more than likely to find a taker for the contract as part of a deal, but Ottawa may have to eat some of his salary of be willing to throw something else in the deal or take back a contract to make it possible.
The fact that we have swirling Senators trade rumors, tells us there’s validity to GM Bryan Murray being active on the trade market. With that information, we can speculate which other players may be coming up in conversation.
Senators Trade Rumors – The Potential Available Players Along with Ottawa’s Defensemen
Milan Michalek ($4 million dollar cap hit)
Coming off a couple down years, the cap hit is a little rich, but he might be able to rejuvenate his career elsewhere.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau ($900,000 dollar cap hit)
Nov5, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center
(44) skates in the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Not a guy Ottawa would be interested in actively shopping, but a piece that may help push a deal over the top. In a perfect world, you can trade your junk away, but in reality, value goes both ways. He might be the guy that helps get a deal done.
Shane Prince ($700,000 dollar cap hit)
The leading scorer from Binghamton last season could be another player like Pageau, that may need to be included in a trade. He’s probably not going to get the ice-time in Ottawa anyways, so why not give him a shot somewhere else.
Andrew Hammond ($1.35 million dollar cap hit)
Not that Ottawa is actively shopping goaltenders, but there are a handful of teams that could use some help in that department. The only reason Ottawa would make this type of deal is because Hammond’s value is likely only going to get lower, and Matt O’Connor in the AHL could likely handle the load as backup.
Senators Trade Rumors: Who Should be the Top 10 Trade Targets?
Next: 10th