Trade Talk: Should The Senators Deal Patrick Wiercioch?
By Jack Leiper
Mar 5, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (46) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Wiercioch hasn’t had a favourable start to the season. Last season ended poorly for Wiercioch as well as he couldn’t buy ice time by February.
Wiercioch had a fantastic 12-13 campaign which saw him put up nearly 0.50 PPG. Wiercioch had quickly risen as one of Ottawa’s top young players and since then has somewhat failed to impress.
Wiercioch has a goal and 2 assists in 11 GP this season. In being a healthy scratch for 5 consecutive games it’s clear that others have passed Wiercioch on the depth chart.
The Senators currently have 7 NHL defenders and 8 when Marc Methot returns. With Chris Wideman and Frederik Claesson as easy callups, Wiercioch’s time in Ottawa could be running up.
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Wiercioch’s 12-13 campaign warranted him a decent raise in his contract, after signing a 3year/2,000,000AAV contract Wiercioch slowed down and hasn’t been in Paul MacLean’s regular group.
It may come as a tease as well, on paper Wiercioch is a 6foot5, puck moving defenceman. But it doesn’t always work out. Defensive lapses and brief moments of genius are parts of Wiercioch’s game, but confidence also appears to be an issue.
All that said, Wiercioch has been a good player in the past and has shown he can play so do you trade a 6foot5 defender at 24-years-old? I’d think not.
One would have to think that Wiercioch’s value is at an all time low and if he were available or on the block, Murray could trade him. Like we’ve seen briefly with Jared Cowen it is possible for guys to improve.
Jan 23, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (46) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Ottawa Senators in a shoot out 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Any Interest?
You’d have to think there is. Like I stated earlier, Wiercioch is a big boy and has shown he can move the puck. In today’s NHL two of the biggest assets a defender can have is size and puck-moving skills.
The Senators don’t need any other pieces, in fact they will need to move a piece when Marc Methot returns to the lineup. Colin Greening had a good game yesterday, but still remains the favourite to be moved when Methot returns.
Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen put in simply in an November 18th post:
"Dorion said Monday that he’s comfortable with carrying two extra forwards – Colin Greening and Erik Condra have been the odd men out most nights – which means the attention shifts to the seven healthy defencemen the Senators do have. Patrick Wiercioch has been the odd man out, playing in 10 games this season and a healthy scratch for the past four games.“Once Marc comes back, we’ll cross that bridge,” said Dorion.– Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen. November 18th, 2014."
We haven’t seen any rumours from the “insiders” or any concrete evidence that points to interest with Wiercioch’s name attached. The Senators have an upcoming roster move and if Greening or Condra can’t be traded.. maybe they look at Wiercioch if the right offer comes up.
At this point in time, you’d have to think a nice prospect and/or a 2nd/3rd round pick could be enough to lure Wiercioch out of Ottawa.