With rumours swirling around like half of the current roster, the Ottawa Senators get set to play their final game before Monday’s trade deadline.
And while there was some talk about the possibility of sitting out Erik Karlsson, Guy Boucher said the Captain will be in the line up against the Flyers.
That won’t silence the speculation about his future in the Nation’s Capital though.
What once seemed impossible has quickly become a 50/50 proposition, as the Senators are apparently engaged in trade talks with multiple teams involving their franchise player. Tampa Bay seems like the team with the most interest but in the last couple days, there has been a little more chatter about the Vegas Golden Knights. Pierre LeBrun mentioned San Jose as an option. Nashville has made a call too.
There is a ton of work to do in the next couple days if a deal is actually going to happen. Still, it’s impossible not to think that we might be about to watch Erik Karlsson’s last game in a Senators jersey. Feels weird even typing those words, actually.
If you’re going to the game today, cheer for him a little louder than usual. Just in case.
Karlsson isn’t the only player being talked about leading up to the deadline.
Johnny Oduya is expected to be on the move and won’t play today. Ian Cole was acquired in yesterday’s Derick Brassard trade but he isn’t available and will be flipped elsewhere before Monday’s deadline.
With Oduya out, Freddy Claesson draws back into the line up. Max McCormick takes Brassard’s spot.
A best guess at the line up for now.
Hoffman-Duchene-Ryan
Smith-Pageau-Stone
Dzingel-Shore-Gaborik
Pyatt-McCormick-Paajarvi
Claesson-Karlsson
Borowiecki-Ceci
Harpur-Chabot
Craig Anderson gets the start in goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 2:00 PM.
