The Senators should trade for a defenceman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 07: Anthony Duclair #10 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his third period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with Dylan DeMelo #2 and Thomas Chabot #72 on December 7, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers went on to defeat the Senators 4-3. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 07: Anthony Duclair #10 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his third period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with Dylan DeMelo #2 and Thomas Chabot #72 on December 7, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers went on to defeat the Senators 4-3. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Senators are in a bit of trouble lately as Dylan Demelo got injured recently, and leaves behind a hole on defence.

Already before the season there was worry about the sens defence, especially with the long-term injury of Christian Wolanin. Now with Dylan Demelo out long-term too there is a need for a new face on defence.

The temporary solution for the problem is the recall of Maxime Lajoie from the AHL affiliate, Belleville Senators.

But the better solution would seem to be to trade for a veteran defenceman. Then maybe flip him at the deadline once Wolanin and Demelo return from their respective injuries.

Also the B-Sens are rolling right now with a 5-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs, and a 4-1 win tonight over the Toronto Marlies. So it may be a better idea to keep as many skilled prospects in Belleville as possible for their run at the Calder Cup.

There will be many defenceman becoming available as we edge close to the trade deadline and the playoffs.

Pierre Dorion is probably working the phones all day trying to acquire a defenceman. He’s got other things on his mind too as the sens need to figure out what they are going to do about Pageau, Hainsey, Namestnikov and Demelo at the deadline.

This season is going a lot better than people imagined before the season began. The Senators are 14-17-2 and are playing a whole lot better than a rebuilding team should be, at this point in the rebuild.

The focus at first was to finish at the bottom of the league and build their way up with a top pick in the 2020 draft. But it may not work out that way as the Senators look like their inching towards a possible playoff appearance soon enough.