The Ottawa Senators have the chance to free up some cap space to spend in the off-season or acquire some talent at the trade deadline that could help going into next season. This deadline and off-season could be important for Ottawa as they try to get back on track.
The Senators should target these three in preparation for next season.
The Senators have some options out there but it is up to management and what route they want to take. Past seasons have told us that the Senators won’t be too active at the trade deadline or off-season but to take the rebuild from within.
If the Senators, who have $11 million in cap space, choose to shake things up and be active this deadline, here are a few players they could target:
Jon Merrill, Defenseman
Defenseman Jon Merrill is a big 6-foot-3 and 205-pound bruising, physical defenseman. Merrill is a defense-first, clear the crease and concentrate on your own end type of player. Merrill is not afraid to lay the body and get into scrums if it means protecting a teammate.
Merrill has a cap hit of $850,000, which is something the Senators can handle. The Senators can use his talents to be aggressive in the defensive end and to block shots. This season for the Minnesota Wild, he has 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points,12 penalty minutes, and is a +13 in 51 games.
Andreas Athanasiou, Forward
Forward Andreas Athanasiou could be a cheap option. A versatile forward, the 6-foot-2 and 187-pound Athanasiou can use his explosive speed to blow past defenders on his way to a scoring chance.
A former 30 goal scorer, he could be a top 6 forward on a team that desperately needs offense. He is also good on the power play and penalty kill, utilizing that speed to find open teammates or create short-handed opportunities.
In 22 games with the Los Angeles Kings, he has scored 9 goals and 5 assists for 14 points, with a +2 and 3 GWG.
Charlie Lindgren, Goalie
Goaltender Charlie Lindgren could be an option for Ottawa. The Senators haven’t had good goaltending for a while now and Lindgren could be the answer. Lindgren has, for the most part, been a backup but has made starts in his career and played well. His cap hit is $750,000 and gives Ottawa stability in the crease.
The 6-foot-1 and 183-pound Lindgren is exactly what the Senators need: an experienced goalie who comes at a cheap price and is potentially a number one starter for them. Aggressive in the net, he also has quick reflexes and plays the butterfly style. In 5 games with the St. Louis Blues, he has a 5-0 record with a 1.22 GAA and a .958 save %.
This deadline could be important for Ottawa as they look for help going into next season.