(UPDATE 9:23 AM)- The Senators continue the strange process of adding former-Leafs by signing veteran defenceman Ron Hainsey. Hmm.
(UPDATE 7:49 AM)- It sounds like the Senators may make an early move in free agency. According to The Fourth Period, Ottawa is close to signing forward Tyler Ennis to a one year deal. Ennis had 12 goals in 51 games with the Leafs last season.
Today’s the day.
It’s that magical day where General Managers across the National Hockey League gather to make terrible decisions that will cripple their salary cap situation for years to come.
And because of the added element of a “free agent courting period” (including for restricted free agents), the action is usually pretty fast and furious once the floodgates open at 12:00 PM.
In Ottawa, the Senators aren’t really expected to be big players on the open market (shocking, I know) but there is a possibility they add a couple veteran guys to their young roster.
Oh and they’re also involved in one of the day’s biggest trades.
That’s right. Cody Ceci is a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. CODY CECI is a member of the TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS. CECI PLAYS FOR THE LEAFS NOW.
Sorry, I have been shouting that periodically over the last couple days and it still doesn’t seem real.
Obviously Zaitsev is coming off a pretty ugly year in Toronto and his contract is unfortunate but obviously DJ Smith feels like he can still play. It’s pretty clear that Zaitsev was desperate for a change of scenery and while Ottawa likely isn’t what he had in mind, he’ll have an opportunity to play more offensive minutes in Ottawa.
Meanwhile Connor Brown was an extremely useful bottom six guy with the Leafs that may have an opportunity to play top six minutes in Ottawa. And at just 25 years of age, he still has plenty of good years in him.
The deal also includes a few extra pieces moving both ways.
Ottawa has been desperately trying to find a take for Ben Harpur so they’ll be happy they were able to sneak him into this trade. Aaron Luchuk was an intriguing player as an over-ager in Junior but struggled with the transition to pro hockey, spending significant time in the ECHL. Michael Carcone had 27 points in 42 AHL games last season, plus 10 points in 13 playoff games.
It’s a…weird trade. And one that obviously can’t be evaluated without looking at the various layers involved (Ottawa’s financial situation, the Ceci contract negotiations, the Leafs’ cap situation).
All I know is that after 1,867,423 comments complaining about Ceci, he’s gone. And he’s gone to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
We’ll see what other miracles Pierre Dorion has up his sleeve today.
As always, updates will be added to the post above or in the comment section below.
Happy Canada Day!
