(UPDATED 4:00 PM)- Just when you thought the fun was over. A late deal to announce as according to James Gordon of the Ottawa Citizen, the Senators have dealt forward Andre Petersson to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenceman Alex Grant.
(UPDATED 3:50 PM)- One last piece of Senators news to close out the day. Defenceman Joe Corvo, who cleared waivers today at noon, has been loaned to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. It’s a nice gesture by Sens GM Bryan Murray as it allows Corvo, an Illinois native, to begin his time in the AHL a little closer to home. Best of luck to Joe in Chicago.
(UPDATED 12:18 PM)- Well now things are certainly heating up! TSN’s Bob McKenzie is reporting that Oilers forward Ales Hemsky is heading to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 3rd round pick in 2014 and a 5th round pick in 2014.
(UPDATED 12:12 PM)- Again, as expected the Ottawa Senators have announced they have signed defenceman Chris Phillips to a two year contract extension that will pay him $2.5 million a season. Great deal for both sides.
(UPDATED 11:15 AM)- As expected, the Buffalo Sabres have indeed put in a claim on forward Cory Conacher. Great opportunity for Conacher who is from Burlington and went to Canisus College in Buffalo. Tough to lose a key piece in the Ben Bishop deal but Sens management felt it just wasn’t working out here in Ottawa.
(UPDATED 10:56 AM)- Quiet start to the day but we are now within one hour of finding out Cory Conacher’s fate. Placed on waivers yesterday, talk yesterday indicated that it’s unlikely Conacher clears. The Sabres are expected to be a team with interest. We’ll find out at Noon.
There’s no sugar coating it- last night’s loss to the Edmonton Oilers was a devastating blow to the slim playoff chances of the Ottawa Senators. The hole they have dug themselves is almost too deep to climb out of and that will certainly be a factor in the decisions Bryan Murray makes today on NHL Trade Deadline Day.
While the Sens won’t necessarily be in the market for a rental, they could still be buyers today if there is a piece that fits in with their team beyond this season. The price for Chris Stewart seemed too high for the Senator yesterday but Tim Murray’s prices are expected to come down at some point today. Chris Phillips and Milan Michalek are both UFAs at season’s end and could be in play although in the case of Phillips, it sounds like he’s close to signing a two year extension.
A blockbuster is unlikely, but I would be shocked if Murray didn’t make at least one deal today. Like other years, we’ll keep all the rumours and speculation on this main post and if something breaks, you’ll read it here. I’ll also be providing updates and analysis in the comment section below and over on Twitter @SensChirp. Follow along, won’t you?
Happy NHL Trade Deadline everyone!
