Senators Trade David Rundblad to Phoenix for Kyle Turris

The Ottawa Senators have acquired former 3rd overall pick Kyle Turris in exchange for rookie defenseman David Rundblad and a 2nd round draft pick.  This trade has been rumoured for some time and I had comments on the potential deal (not knowing what the Senators would have to give up) last month.  I didn’t like the idea then and I still don’t like it now.

In Turris, the Senators acquire a depth forward who had the potential to play in a top 6, but has thus far failed to live up to those expectations.  Turris was a training camp holdout and didn’t sign until just before the Dec 1st deadline that, had he waited had he waited any longer, he would have made him ineligible to play in the NHL this season.  He has only 46 points in 137 career games, and is pointless in 6 outings this season.

My take on this trade in two words:  BIG MISTAKE.

Rundblad has had some growing pains, but his pedigree shows that once he makes the transition to the North American game, he could be a star.  Turris is by no means in his prime yet, but in 4 years as a pro he has yet to make a real impact in the NHL.  I  don’t believe for a minute based on what I have seen (admittedly limited exposure) or heard that he just needs a change in venue to suddenly become a breakout star.

I hope I am wrong, but I don’t see the Senators as a better team today or in the future with this deal.  The addition of a 2nd round pick is a kick in the pants.