In today’s piece I am going to look at the trades Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion made over the last 2 seasons, 2019-2021. If you missed my last piece on Saturday, please give part 1 a read! I am not going to analyze minor trades, only trades that affected the teams’ progress. You will see each trade below that I feel, affected the team's progress along with how I think Ottawa did in each instance. Dorion took over as GM from Bryan Murray on April 10, 2016.

July 1, 2019.
Ottawa acquires Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev/Michael Carcone
Toronto acquires Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur, 2020 3rd round draft pick

There is no question who won this trade, Ottawa big time! Now Toronto was trying to unload Zaitsev’s contract at the time, but the fact that Ottawa was able to move Ceci who didn’t fit into the Sens plans any longer was huge. Harpur has since moved on to Nashville and is a serviceable 6th defensemen. Connor Brown has excelled due to a more prominent role than he had in Toronto. It was no coincidence that this trade happened not long after Ottawa hired DJ Smith who was the Leafs assistant coach and knew both players very well.

July 16, 2019.
Ottawa acquires Artem Anisimov
Chicago acquires Zack Smith

The reason I chose to post this trade was Dorion reached too far in giving Smith a 4 year contract extension in 2017 for 13 million dollars. Smith scored 25 goals in 2015-16, a huge career year that he never matched again, but it production was also due to his linemates at the time, Mark Stone and JG Pageau. Looking back now, Stone got Smith and Colin White paid nicely, both benefactors of playing with a great two way player in Stone. Add in the fact that Animisov in 2 seasons, he scored 17 goals in Ottawa, while Smith played one season in Chicago, scoring 4 goals in 50 games. Ottawa won this trade!

Jan. 2, 2020.
Ottawa acquires Mike Reilly
Montreal acquires Andrew Sturtz/2021 5th round draft pick

Reilly had fallen out of favour in Montreal and Ottawa was the benefactor again, just like the Victor Mete situation this past season claiming him off waivers from the Habs. Reilly was very steady and played in the Sens top 4 on defense. Ottawa was able to trade Reilly to Boston for a 3rd round pick too this past trade deadline. Ottawa won this deal again.

Feb. 18, 2020.

Ottawa acquires a 2020 3rd round draft pick, which they used to draft goalie Leevi Merilainen.
Winnipeg acquires Dylan DeMelo.

The Erik Karlsson trade keeps on giving! DeMelo was very solid in almost 2 seasons in Ottawa.
DeMelo wanted a 4 year deal and Ottawa wasn’t willing to go more than 3 years due to the youth they had coming along. In drafting Merilainen, he is going to play this coming season in the OHL for Kingston. This could end up being an even better trade of Merilainen amounts to an every day NHLer.

Feb. 24, 2020.

Ottawa acquires 2020 1st round draft pick(Ridly Greig), 2020 2nd round pick(Roni Hervonen), 2022 3rd round draft pick.
NYI acquires JG Pageau.

It was clear that Pageau had priced himself out on what he wanted both on terms and AAV. Ottawa got a nice return for a guy that was their 3rd line center.

Oct. 7, 2020.

Ottawa acquires Matt Murray
Pittsburgh acquires Jonathan Gruden and a 2020 2nd round draft pick

It will be interesting to see how Murray rebounds this coming season after a injury riddled inconsistent first season in Ottawa after signing a 4 year, 25 million dollar contract.

Dec. 26, 2020.

Ottawa acquires Derek Stepan
Arizona acquires a 2021 2nd round pick(they used it to choose Josh Doan, Shane Doan’s son!)

Stepan was horrible in his short stay in Ottawa, his season was cut short by a season ending shoulder injury. Ottawa lost this trade, considering that 2nd round pick could’ve fetched a nice top end prospect.

April 11, 2020.

Ottawa acquires a 2022 3rd round pick.
Boston acquires Mike Reilly.

Ottawa came out winners on this one. When you look back at what they gave up to get Reilly from Montreal, they increased his value from giving up a 5th round pick to get him, to a 3rd round pick. Nice job!

I am curious to hear Sens fans, all hockey fans thoughts on how the first three years of Dorion’s trades panned out.
Thanks for reading.
Kevin

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