Pierre Dorion got a jumpstart on the NHL’s trade deadline tonight, completing a couple trades that further thin the Ottawa Senators blue line.
First up, the Senators dealt Mike Reilly to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2022 third-round draft pick. They then followed it up by sending Braydon Coburn to the New York Islanders in exchange for a 2022 seventh-round draft pick.
While the loss of Coburn is more of an addition by subtraction sort of thing, the loss of Reilly might have a significant impact on the on-ice fortunes for this hockey club. Reilly has quietly been a very solid contributor for the Senators this season, generating positive results in the play-driving department:
Mike Reilly, acquired by BOS, is a quite effective offensive defenceman who has had pretty remarkable underlying results since joining the Ottawa Senators. His transition skills are strong, awesome offence-driving and primary assist rates too. #LetsGoBruins pic.twitter.com/4K8TnOHBmX
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) April 12, 2021
If the Senators aren’t confident that their own prospects are ready to handle the added responsibility, the waiver wire has gifted them a premium opportunity to acquire a stopgap measure that could turn into more than that. The Montreal Canadiens waived Victor Mete today, a 22-year-old defender who has put up very solid results to start his career:
Victor Mete, placed on waivers by MTL, has played very little this season but has an extremely strong track record in terms of his impact on scoring chances for and against. Somebody really should claim him. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/9uN2F7a46b
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) April 11, 2021
As always, thanks for reading.