First off, for the latest Sens updates, please follow me on Twitter at Follow @KevinFr65525204 Give me a Twitter follow, I will give you a follow too!
First off, huge shoutout to Liam Maguire who will be hosting a huge hockey event tonight at the Rideau Carleton Casino. I know many hockey fans from the Ottawa community will be attending and I encourage all Hockeybuzz readers to come out tonight. Don't forget the Sens at Habs will be on the big screen too! Hard Rock Hockey Trivia challenge-March 19th! Entry is free, you just have to register first, prize is two tickets for a Sens game in the Hard Rock suite, parking, f/b included! Then a week later, March 26 it's Sticks 'n Stones, Ottawa's #1 party band! Somebody is going to walk away with a nice prize tonight. 5-600$ value just for answering a few easy hockey questions. The game show starts at 630pm. The location is Ottawa's newest lounge, the Joint-Rideau Carleton Casino 2nd floor. For more info, click on the link below or feel free to follow Liam on Twitter at @Liams_Hockey and I know he would be more than happy to respond to anyone having questions about the event. It would be great to see many of the Hockeybuzz readers out tonight.
https://www.rideaucarletoncasino.com/event-calendar.aspx
When looking at Monday's NHL trade deadline, here's a look at Ottawa Senators' players that will garner some interest.
The most talked about Sens player prior to the trade deadline is Nick Paul. I know how management says they don't negotiate through the media, but when things aren't going the Sens way they always leak out numbers to the media so don't fool yourselves Sens fans. Pierre Dorion is very calculated that way and that's why it's so frustrating to watch this guy at his presser when he's always talking out of both sides of his mouth. If Ottawa has indeed offered Paul 4 years for 10 million then why on earth wouldn't they give Anthony Duclair 3 years for 10 million less than two years ago? This is what Duclair proposed to Dorion when he was acting as his own agent. The team keeps saying they need to acquire a top 6 forward when they let that exact player walk away for free two summers ago. Duclair signed for one year at 1.7M with Florida, then this past summer signed for 3 years and 9 million.
Teams that are said to be interested in Paul are Edmonton and Colorado. I was told Toronto called about Paul at the beginning of the week but I was never told what they would be willing to give up. The NY Rangers are taking a long look at Paul and have had scouts at all five home games during the Sens homestand. I don't know how Ottawa would extend Paul for more than 3 years with so many prospects coming up the pipeline. In two years, Paul would be destined for the 4th line as the game continues to be all about speed and skill. How could a team justify paying a 4th liner, 2.5 million per year? Naturally, Ottawa would want RW Vitali Kravtsov a part of any deal for Paul plus picks. On a side note, if Dorion hadn't put Rudulph Balcers on waivers last year to keep Alex Galchenyuk, the Sens would have a great 3rd line option in Balcers, as he signed a 2 year, 3.9 million extension while putting up similar numbers to Paul.
Zach Sanford is a player that might get a mid-round draft pick in return for the Sens. Even with the Lightning acquiring Hagel on Friday, TB has had scouts at many Sens games for a while now. I was told by two different scouts that Pat Maroon, Sanford's former teammate with the Blues when they won a cup together has been in management's ear about acquiring Sanford. Nashville has had scouts at Sens game going back to December and the Preds are another team that would like to acquire him as he's familiar with the Western Conference. A wildcard team for Sanford is Minnesota I'm told. I wouldn't expect too much in return for Sanford but I can't see him in a Sens uniform past Monday.
Chris Tierney will be one of those players that's moved towards 3pm on Monday due to his salary. He's making a lot for bottom 6 forward and if Ottawa can get out from his contract for a late round pick, Dorion would love to make this happen.
Josh Brown is another player that will most likely get moved late in the day on Monday. Three teams have kicked the tires on him as they look at him as a depth defenseman, 7th dman during their playoff run. Florida has actually looked into him for this type of role, as have the Pens and Caps. He has a very affordable salary that teams can get him in under the cap for a long playoff run. Long shot team I'm told to watch here is Carolina.
Michael Del Zotto is a defenseman that can play both sides and I know Ottawa would love nothing more than to move on from his contract. I was told Calgary is an outside destination, possibly looking to bring him in as a 7/8 defenseman during their playoff run.
When it comes to looking at possible targets this summer in the aforementioned top 6 forward role, Ottawa intends to look at Travis Konecny but the one player I'm told that Dorion covets is RW Ryan Hartman of Minnesota. Everyone keeps linking Ottawa to Kevin Fiala but Hartman is the player who the Sens would like to acquire. He will have two years left on his current deal after this season, making 1.7 million per season. He has put up great numbers this season and at the age of 27, he would fit into what Ottawa is looking for in the top six forward position.
The other two players I'm told that Ottawa has kicked the tires on a few times this season is Clayton Keller in Arizona and Connor Garland in Vancouver. This is something to keep your eye on this summer.
Look for Dorion to strengthen the BSens depth as well come Monday. I was told Ottawa has kicked the tires on re-acquring Joey Daccord. With Kevin Mandolese out 4-6 weeks down in Belleville and Matt Murray most likely done for the season, Ottawa knows they need to increase their goaltending depth to end the season. Daccord has only suited up for 4 games in Seattle this season. It wouldn't take much to acquire him, late round draft pick? I'm told Ottawa would like to send down Filip Gustavsson to Belleville to have a formidable duo with Mats Sogaard in goal.
Lastly, Ottawa is said to be interested in Mason Marchment of Florida if he gets to the open market this summer. A pending UFA, he's definitely a late bloomer! Food for thought as they say!
Thoughts Sens fans?! Comment, questions, and possible trade scenarios are welcomed in the comment section. Thanks for reading.
Kevin