You hear it all the time, a GM will say “we are looking to make a hockey trade/deal”. While the saying has died down in recent years, it’s still something you hear. The phrase seems redundant as you always try to make a “hockey deal” benefitting your team and the other team.
Today, Nick Foligno was named captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets. This was after a 70 point performance as a 27-year-old. Foligno has fit the Columbus system well and after being a 1st round pick of the Ottawa Senators, he’s performing at a pace above his presumed ceiling in Ottawa.
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However, looking back on the trade, it was clear Ottawa wasn’t looking to give up a near PPG top 6 winger—especially with that piece being Bryan Murray’s constant search.
Yet the Senators are also very happy with the piece they got back from Columbus. Marc Methot, a local product and defender who has slotted in well as Ottawa’s only other top 4 defender has earned a new contract and has succeeded in Ottawa. In fact, for the first two years of the deal, many said Ottawa had won the trade that swapped Foligno and Methot.
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And while the winner is looking more and more like Columbus, the Senators got a piece they needed and a young enough piece to keep around going forward. A typical “hockey trade” by most standards.
There have been a few regrettable trades in Senators history, some recently. Ben Bishop/Cory Conacher was a regrettable move, and recently the Bobby Ryan deal hasn’t looked so ideal. However, the Senators need to be happy with the piece they got back for Nick Foligno.
Melnyk Undergoes Successful Surgery:
It hasn’t been a great season off the ice for the Ottawa Senators. Health problems in the front office and coaching staff were emphasized last week when Sens owner, Eugene Melnyk make a public plea for a liver donor. The news last night that he had undergone a successful transplant brought a positive note to Senators news.
Eugene Melnyk saved the Senators in 2003 and has claimed losses since operating the franchise. While frustrations are felt towards the internal budget, one has to command Melnyk for saving the franchise when no one else would.
Around The Web:
S7S What to do with Derek Grant: With Zack Smith having a career worst season, and many calling for David Legwand to be moved, Ary from S7S asks if Derek Grant is ready to play the 4th line center role, coincidentally, he’s also a pendign UFA.
T6S New Senators A-Coach Andre Tourigny: Nichols looks at the current link between the Senators and former Avalanche A-Coach, Andre Tourigny, who could make a good candidate behind the Sens bench.
TSS Interview With Matt O’Connor’s Goaltending Coach: Sean Tierney, Today’s Slapshot writer had an interview with Matt O’Connor’s goaltending coach at BU. There’s some interesting ideas in there and it’s a quick read.
Next: Fun With Numbers; Senators Bargains and Rip-Offs