Mike’s Mailbag is drafted, but seeing as there’s only one matchup left in the second round of the Pierre Dorion’s Best Trade Tournament, it makes sense to take care of this pressing piece of business. Last time around, the Erik Karlsson trade carried the day and further cemented itself as a contender in the contest. Tonight, an interesting matchup with two very different but memorable deals awaits:
Trade: Phaneuf --> LA
Out: Dion Phaneuf, Nate Thompson
In: Marian Gaborik, Nick Shore
If Young Mike of a bygone era had been told that his team was involved in a deal containing Dion Phaneuf and Marian Gaborik, it would have been earthshattering. Unfortunately, by the time this deal actually rolled around, time had passed both players by. This was one team trading its deadweight for another team’s deadweight. The Kings thought they could get competent NHL minutes out of Phaneuf and Thompson, while the Senators cleared out real dollars. The names involved were a lot more exciting than the result itself. Oh, what could have been if this trade took place ten years earlier.
Trade: Lazar --> CAL
Out: Curtis Lazar, Michael Kostka
In: Jyrki Jokipakka, 2017 2nd Round Pick
Curtis Lazar was one of junior hockey’s hottest commodities, but he was never quite able to translate it into the professional game. While trading Lazar earlier while he was still viewed as full of potential likely would have resulted in a larger haul for Dorion, it’s tough to complain about how things turned out. That second-round selection turned into Alex Formenton, who is one of the more promising names in the Ottawa system. Everything about Formenton’s rookie year in Belleville suggests that the Senators organization is going to get more out of him than they ever did out of Lazar.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»