Well that was unexpected…
This afternoon, the Ottawa Senators announced they have traded forward Mika Zibanejad to the New York Rangers in exchange for Derick Brassard.
Here’s the full breakdown of the deal. Mika Zibanejad & a 2018 2nd rd pick from Ottawa to New York for Derick Brassard & a 2018 7th rd pick.
Brassard is coming off a 27 goal, 58 point season with the Rangers.
He has three years left on his deal with a cap hit of $5 million and a declining salary of $5 million this year and $3.5 million in the next two seasons. The Rangers just paid him a $2 million bonus too. So from a financial standpoint, it’s pretty easy to see why the Senators would be excited about this deal. At the same time, they add a left shot centre to the top six, which is something that should help the power play (and hopefully Bobby Ryan at 5 on 5).
Sort of strange that they had to throw in the extra pick though especially when Zibanejad is significantly younger than Brassard. Although perhaps that was the “cost” of holding off on this deal until after the bonus had been paid.
Sens and NYR were talking for a few weeks. Trade didn't happen before because of a $2M bonus Derick Brassard had to receive on July 15.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 18, 2016
