Trade Talk: Robin Lehner A Trade Chip, Phillips And Neil Available

Last week, all the talk was that the Ottawa Senators should trade Craig Anderson.

Anderson has been Ottawa’s MVP and most consistent player all season long, and at 33 he’s still got some time left. Now, the focus has shifted to Robin Lehner as a potential trade piece.

Shawn Simpson from TSN 1200 put Anderson simply as “He’s a low maintenance guy, he’s a good performer, maybe he’s around for 4 or 5 more years”

And as Anderson being around long term seems like a possibility, Lehner has become a trade chip.

Talk of Lehner being available has begun after rumours of Anderson were shut down by GM Bryan Murray.  As Craig could be the “long-term” guy, as Elliotte Friedman put it last night, Lehner could be available.

And you think the interest would be there. The price for Lehner would be steep, as Ottawa would likely search for a top prospect and more for Robin.

In fact, a report from Darren Dreger noted that teams have called on him.

"Teams have called on Robin Lehner. In fact, I think that there’s been communication in the past between the Oilers and Ottawa Senators specific to Robin Lehner."

In talking about all of this, it’s important to note that he is still only 23-years-old. Lehner won the Jack A. Butterfield trophy as a 19-year-old, similar to Carey Price in his Calder Cup winning season.

Phillips and Neil “Could Be Dealt”

This one is interesting, but an interview with the Ottawa Citizen revealed that Chris Neil and Chris Phillips could be available. This via Bryan Murray.

Ottawa only has two guys who have been on the roster for more than 6 seasons, with those two being it. Phillips and Neil are the teams two assistant captains (when not healthy scratches) and are presumed leaders inside the room.

The report also mentions Methot as a possible trade candidate, but that isn’t news. Phillips and Neil being possibly dealt is.

Murray puts it vaguely.

"“I’ve had a couple of calls already to see if we’re going to do certain things,”“The two Chrises you have to talk to, they deserve that. We don’t have a lot of grit, of that calibre, in our organization,” Murray says. “And no matter what you say, you need it.”"

With Ottawa out of the playoff race, the trade deadline could be interesting. If you recall back to 2011, Ottawa saw vets moved out for futures in Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly, maybe this is another go around at that.

Although I wouldn’t be expecting a 1st rounder back this time around.