The second and final post in the ‘Trades by Dorion’ series is finally here! Today I take a look at the five best trades Pierre Dorion has been able to pull the trigger on as General Manager of the Ottawa Senators.
If you are interested in seeing Dorion’s complete history of trades, signings, and players drafted during his time as General Manager of the Ottawa Senators, check out his CapFriendly page! Alright, I now present you the top-5 best trades by Pierre Dorion.
Number 5 – 2016 first-round pick & 2016 third-round pick to New Jersey for a 2016 first-round pick
Pierre Dorion’s first trade as the General Manager of the Ottawa Senators. The new GM gave up a third-round pick to move up one spot in the NHL Draft to select Logan Brown 11th overall.
While Logan Brown’s development hasn’t been as fast as some fans would have liked it, the young centre still projects to be a top-6 centre in the NHL. Brown has the hockey IQ to be able to play with the best players on the team, he has the offensive capabilities to suit up in the top-6, his skating, however, has been the knock on him going back to his draft year. The good news for Ottawa Senators fans is that skating can be improved! You don’t have to look much further than Mark Stone. When Stone was drafted, his skating was absolutely terrible. He worked at it and managed to improve it enough to be one of the best wingers in the game.
Compound all the skill that Brown has with his 6’6″ frame and you’ve got the makings of a very good top-6 player. Yes, Dorion was forced to give up a third-round pick to just move up one spot on the draft floor, but anytime you have the opportunity to add a big centre that projects to be a top-6 forward you have to jump at it. Those types of players generally don’t grow on trees, and they do not become available via trade very often.