The Ottawa Senators under general manager Pierre Dorion have made some solid moves so far in free agency. They made two key moves on the first day of free agency.
First, they signed veteran defenceman Michael Del Zotto to a two-year contract worth $4 million. Then, they traded Russian winger Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights for another veteran defenceman in Nick Holden and a third-round pick.
These moves fulfil one of the promises the team made that they would acquire a top-four defenceman. While it can be debated whether Del Zotto or Holden are bonafide top-four defencemen, they will definitely help out the defence this year.
And not just with leadership, like the failed experiment last season. Both Holden and Del Zotto are good leaders, yes, but they still have a lot left in the tank skill-wise.
Holden had a shortened 17-game season this year, but he came alive in the playoffs, scoring seven points in 15 games. Del Zotto signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets on a PTO, but quickly proved he still has it on the ice.
The Senators currently have eight defencemen under NHL contract for the 2021-22 season. That may seem like an issue, but keeping in mind injury tendencies, it can be a sound strategy.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Senators seem to be done adding to their defence. And with the overflowing cupboard of goalies in the pipeline, headlined by Matt Murray, that position is set as well.
Ottawa Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk stated that the team is looking for a “top-six centre and a top-four defenceman” to bolster the group. Not only has the team failed to acquire a top-six centre, they traded away a top offensive piece in Evgenii Dadonov.
Right now, the Senators offence looks something along these lines:
Tkachuk1– Norris – Batherson2
Stutzle – Pinto3 – C.Brown
Formenton – Tierney4 – White
Paul – Kelly – Watson
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1Is an RFA, hasn’t signed a contract yet.
2 RFA, hasn’t signed yet.
3 May start the season in the AHL.
4 Likely going to be traded before the season begins.
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