With less than two weeks to go before the trade deadline, the rumor mill will start to heat up, and apparently Ottawa is on the lookout for a top 6 forward. While I suggested going after San Jose forward Ryane Clowe for the combination of skill and toughness he would bring, there is another player who might be a pretty good fit.
Rockland native Derek Roy.
Mar 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Stars center Derek Roy (11) shoots the puck as Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) defends at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Roy is in his first season in Dallas after being traded from Buffalo for Steve Ott and Adam Pardy. With the Stars teetering on the edge of the playoff race in the West, Roy’s name has come up as player who could be moved.
The natural centre could fill in for Jason Spezza and then move to the wing when Spezza returns, providing Paul MacLean with more options in his top 6. He is in the final year of his contract, so if the plan didn’t work out, there is no further commitment. He is a veteran of almost 600 NHL games and has over 400 points.
He isn’t the biggest guy in the league, but Senators fans know as well as anyone that he brings a certain level of grit if not overall toughness to his game and he is a solid top 6 forward that could help the Senators in the playoff run.
And we all know how much Bryan Murray likes to bring in local guys.