The San Jose Sharks have traded centreman Dylan Gambrell to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2022 seventh-round draft pick. News of the deal broke late Sunday evening through both teams’ social media accounts.
News Release: The #Sens have acquired forward Dylan Gambrell in a trade with @SanJoseSharks: https://t.co/lQMEFpFYH9 pic.twitter.com/kit4GnIfch
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) October 25, 2021
Sharks Trade Dylan Gambrell to Senators
Gambrell was drafted by the Sharks in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft. Since then, he has spent time flip-flopping between the AHL and NHL, ultimately securing a full-time job in the majors in 2019-20. Unfortunately, Gambrell’s time with the Sharks hasn’t been the most productive, which may help explain his availability.
Last season, Gambrell suited up for 49 games with the Sharks, scoring five goals and 12 points. He received a modest increase in playing time, averaging 16 minutes a night; however, that increased role didn’t necessarily translate to success. Gambrell ended up tied for a team-worst minus 18, won only 43.8% of his faceoffs and scored an underwhelming sub-50% in both Corsi and Fenwick. Both his Corsi and Fenwick metrics were negative relative to his teammates.
After signing a one-year contract with the Sharks this offseason, the 25 year-old failed to crack the Sharks’ roster out of camp. He’s since appeared in three games with the San Jose Barracuda, registering one assist.
What This Means Going Forward
Clearly, the Senators see more value in Gambrell at this point in his career than the Sharks do. As part of the trade, the Senators have already recalled Gambrell to the main roster. The Senators have been light at centre due to some recent injuries, the most recent of which Shane Pinto who was injured in a game on Thursday and is expected to be out for a while.
Pinto’s injury has opened an opportunity for Gambrell, who will look to revive his pro career on a new team. Gambrell should likely slot into the Senator’s bottom six, with a role on the penalty kill factored in as well.
We may see Gambrell suit up for his new team as soon as Monday when the Senators take on the Washington Capitals at home.
The trade now gives the Sharks eight draft picks in the 2022 NHL Draft, with this being their third seventh-round pick.
