Ottawa Senators’ Most Likely Big Trade Deadline Move: The Return Of Jason Spezza

Now that we are less than two weeks until the April 3rd trade deadline, the chances are that if the Ottawa Senators are going to make a big splash, it will be sooner rather than later.  As difficult as it is, if Ottawa needs an extra push to get over the hump, they need it now.

Forget the fact that Jason Spezza’s imminent return will be like adding a #1 centre to the team without giving anything up in return.  Who he will play with when he does come back is the big question.  Will there be a new wingman brought in to ride shotgun on the first line, such as a pending UFA rental, or will Bryan Murray stand pat.

Ottawa’s big trade deadline move might be the return of Jason Spezza Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

I am sure he is trying to find a bargain now to bring in someone who can make an immediate impact that will not cost them a current roster player.  Easier said than done, as there are still too many buyers and not enough sellers.  Even if this should change in the next week or 10 days, the Senators most likely will not be willing to overpay, and rightly so, for a player who might only help them for a month.

There are a few pending UFA’s out there that might be available, at the right price, but many come with risks.  Brenden Morrow would be a good pickup but has been injury prone over the past couple of years and that is not what Ottawa wants.  Derek Roy and Ryane Clowe are other possibilities that I have previously mentioned as possibilities, but Clowe has had a bum shoulder lately.  Mike Ribeiro has been playing on the wing in Washington the last couple of games and has played well, and Washington could soon be in selling mode.  Guys like Jaromir Jagr and Jarome Iginla might become availalble but not in Ottawa’s price range.

So unless Murray has something up his sleeve, it looks like it might be a pretty quiet trade deadline in Ottawa, and possibly around the entire league.