Ottawa Senators Trades: Curtis Lazar To Calgary Flames
It was looking like the Ottawa Senators were finished dealing as the trade deadline rapidly approached. Curtis Lazar is finally off the books, with a second-round pick the main reward from the Calgary Flames.
The #Sens got a second and Jyrki Jokipakka for Curtis Lazar and Mike Kostka
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) March 1, 2017
I, amongst many other Ottawa Senators were hopeful that Lazar could entice a first-round draft pick. Unfortunately not, defenceman Jyrki Jokipakka is also heading to the Senators. Mike Kostka is also heading to the Flames.
Who is Jyrki Jokipakka?
The former 195th overall, 7th round pick of the 2011 draft joins from the Calgary Flames. The Finn will be utilised as a sixth defenceman, potentially sitting games as a healthy scratch.
Don’t expect him to be a revelation in Ottawa, he will provide depth as a stay-at-home who will come in handy when pairing with Ottawa’s more attacking defensemen.
Curtis Lazar Has Finally Been Shifted
The former first-round draft pick (17th overall) has been a bust, there’s no other way to describe it. Thankfully, it seems, gone are the days where the Sens place too many eggs in their draft pick basket. A 20 point season is all Lazar could muster for the Ottawa Senators.
Remember the Jared Cowen ordeal? The reluctance to accept that he simply wasn’t going to make it in the NHL. Hidden away in the murky depths of the Toronto Maple Leaf organisation. The former ninth overall pick, whose best season was a mind-numbing 17 points in 82 games.
Hockey fans outside of the Ottawa-tinted sphere feel differently.
Curtis Lazar has really fallen of a cliff since his rookie year. A second round pick is generous. pic.twitter.com/OwQLVj1Elk
— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) March 1, 2017
I’m still of the belief that Lazar could’ve attracted a first. Just take a look at the Martin Hanzal trade, it’s a sellers market after all.
Maybe A Second-Pick Is Generous
Obviously Lazar has potential on his side, and youth. However, P.A Parenteau has actual production, it just goes to show how much emphasis is placed on what ifs in the NHL. A fascinating thought.
How would it make any sense to use an asset to acquire Curtis Lazar, only to have to protect him in the expansion draft? I don't get this.
— Scott Cullen (@ByScottCullen) February 28, 2017
An extremely poignant point from Cullen, which only leads me to think that the Sens have done rather well to not only get a draft pick but a player as well. Lazar could almost certainly be of to Vegas.
Final Thoughts
After a rather bleak and disappointing trade deadline, the Ottawa Senators must show resilience. Evidently, the management system believe in this group of players, or weren’t prepared to pay the price.
The playoffs are the next major event on the horizon, hopefully that isn’t as anti-climatic as the trade deadline.