(UPDATE 12:26 PM)- Another strange twist in the ongoing waiver-wire battle between the Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Today, the Lightning claimed forward Gabriel Dumont off of waivers, after the Senators did the same thing earlier in the season. This is good news for the Senators as it opens a roster spot at the bottom of the line up heading into next season. Another one of Guy Boucher’s favourites out the door.
If yesterday was any indication, these days leading up to Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline are going to be a wild ride for fans of the Ottawa Senators.
Sort of the way things go in the Nation’s Capital but it seemed to hit another level yesterday with rumours about the future of Erik Karlsson officially hitting frenzy levels.
It started with a scoop by Terry Marcotte that suggested the Senators would like to include Bobby Ryan’s contract in a Karlsson deal.
Dreger and McKenzie weren’t far behind, adding that Pierre Dorion is absolutely taking calls on his franchise defenceman and that there was significant interest.
In the early evening, those Insiders had seemingly nailed down an asking price, suggesting that the Senators were looking for as many as five assets in return.
By the time Insider Trading rolled around shortly after 6:00 PM, the word was the Senators were “listening aggressively”. Whatever that means.
He was suddenly sitting at 5th on the TSN Trade Bait board after not even being on the list earlier in the day. Travis Yost was already saying his goodbyes to Karlsson.
And for good measure, Nick Kypreos threw out the idea that it was essentially a foregone conclusion that Erik Karlsson was not going to sign in Ottawa long term.
This all happened in a span of less than 12 hours. Tis the season, I suppose.
One thing I can say, based on the people I have spoken with in the last few days is this- the Ottawa Senators are absolutely considering a trade involving Erik Karlsson. It’s going to be very difficult to find a match prior to the deadline but if it doesn’t happen before Monday, then the conversation will absolute continue in the summer time. And that maybe Karlsson himself has been told that a deal is a possibility.
And on that note, the Ottawa Senators are in Chicago tonight to take on the Blackhawks.
The Senators made one roster move yesterday, waiving another one of Guy Boucher’s favourites. Gabriel Dumont was placed on waivers with the hope that someone might take him off their hands. He is still with the team in Chicago but he won’t play. We’ll find out if somebody else claimed him shortly after noon today.
Ryan Dzingel was back with the team for practice yesterday. He is expected to play tonight.
A best guess at the lineup for now.
Paajarvi-Duchene-Hoffman
Smith-Brassard-Stone
Dzingel-Pageau-Gaborik
Pyatt-Shore-McCormick
Oduya-Karlsson
Borowiecki-Ceci
Claesson-Chabot
Mike Condon gets the start for Ottawa. Puck drop is set for just after 8:00 PM.
