If the Ottawa Senators were to make what would be considered a “hockey” trade, just what would that look like and who would their targets be? Essentially there are three ways to look at, before we hit the season of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and the free agency period. You could make an expiring contract trade, trade one star, or two stars. Let’s give it a try and see how we feel about each of the three different scenarios. Adding the likes of Josh Norris or Jakob Chychrun as part of a trade package is a huge deal. Conversely, how much value can one player truly impact a lineup? Unfortunately, as the Sens have seen over recent seasons, it is tough to rely on a single player, because players get hurt. Whether that is Shane Pinto, Josh Norris, or Thomas Chabot, the Sens missed a lot of big minutes throughout 2023-24.
Targets for the Ottawa Senators Hockey-Type Trade Scenarios
Erik Brannstrom, Anton Forsberg, Dominik Kubalik for Matt Dumba, Anthony Duclair
This trade would be the Senators way of trading their cap space eaters and fill it at the same time. Matt Dumba fits the bill as a right-shot defenceman that can be a top-four guy. With the Senators depth on the backend, they don’t need a gamebreaker necessarily, just someone to perform at a top-level. Also Duclair is a great, professional type player to inject into the forward group. The Senators forward group is close. Consider last year’s team if healthy, with Vladimir Tarasenko in the lineup. They were playoff worthy. The team had deficiencies in other areas. The advantage of this trade for the Senators perspective, is it saves money and fills a void.
Jakob Chychrun, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Second-Round Draft Pick for Seth Jones
From a Senators fan perspective, if you are thinking Seth Jones is not an elite defenceman, don’t worry about it. He is. Remember in 2016-17 as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Sergei Bobrovsky won a Vezina trophy, Jones was their best defenceman. At the time, Jones was only 22-years-old. Therefore, Jones worked himself up to being one of the best paid defencemen in the league. So, does he make a lot of money? Yes. Would Thomas Chabot and himself make an excellent number one pairing? That is something that should have Senator fans salivating over. This trade works, as it helps support the Chicago Blackhawks organizational depth during their period of rebuild. Also, the age of Chychrun and Jones, seems to work better for their prospective new teams’ timelines. Jones would be ready now to boost the Senators into a playoff contender. Meanwhile, Chychrun, being a couple years younger, has more time to be a part of a rebuilding situation.
Jakob Chychrun, Josh Norris for Damon Severson, Boone Jenner
Well no beating around the bush as we jump into the complete opposite end of the trade perspective spectrum pool. Two star Sen plays for a couple big name Blue Jackets. This trade makes a lot of sense when you really consider it. It’s flopping two pairs of contracts that are on even playing fields. The Blue Jackets handed Severson the bank in the offseason, and he earns $6M per year. Furthermore, this makes his contract in the same ball park as the Senators centre Josh Norris. Then, in terms of value contracts, swapping Jenner for Chychrun is a wash who would be the better deal for 2024-25. Severson would provide a top-four, right shot defenceman the Senators need badly. Also, Jenner provides the type, of physical forward, and professional work ethic the Steve Staios management staff has preached about since these type of discussions began. Moreover, Norris would be a nice fit to help guide and grow with Blue Jacket young forwards, like Adam Fantilli or Kent Johnson.
Final Notes on Ottawa Senators Trade Targets
Nothing is set in stone, but one thing is for sure, the Senators do have options. Their main off-ice priority remains finding a new bench boss, followed closely by signing Shane Pinto to a deal that works for both sides. Additionally, a top priority for General Manager Steve Staios is finding a top-four, right-hand D-man. That was the work we attempted to perform here, and if we can say so, with favourable results. Now these might not be exactly what transpires, and perhaps a team like the Philadelphia Flyers, or if the Seattle Kraken decide to be sellers, there may indeed be more synched trading partners.
Main photo: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
