Ottawa Senators get decent return for Jean-Gabriel Pageau
The Ottawa Senators have traded away Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the New York Islanders and could potentially receive three draft picks in return.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau was arguably the most attractive Ottawa Senators player available ahead of the trade deadline, with the Ottawa native having a career year in the Canadian capital.
His goal scoring tally of 24 in 60 regular-season games to date is a career-high for the Senators’ 2011 fourth-round (96th overall) pick.
With the organisation and the player reportedly only beginning contract extension talks this week, it seemed obvious that Pageau was destined to be traded and the Ottawa Senators have received a decent return for the impending UFA.
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In exchange for Pageau, the Sens receive a conditional 2020 first-round pick, a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional 2022 third-round pick from the Islanders.
The second-round pick is secured for this year’s draft, giving the Sens a whopping four picks in the second round.
This year’s first-round pick is protected in case the Islanders miss the playoffs and end up with a top-three pick, which would see the Sens receive an unprotected 2021 first-rounder. If the Islanders do not earn a spot in the top-three, the Sens receive the pick this year regardless of where it ends up being.
If the Sens receives this year’s pick, it would guarantee them SEVEN picks in the first two rounds, nine if their two third-rounders are included.
The 2022 third-round pick is contingent on the Islanders winning the 2020 Stanley Cup, so fans of the Sens have somebody to cheer for during the post-season should they make it.
With Pageau’s contract expiring this summer, potentially seeing him join another team in the NHL for nothing, the return the Sens received from the Islanders should be viewed as an absolute win for the Canadian club.
The organisation is fully buying into the rebuild and the 2020 Draft is viewed as one of the strongest in recent years. Having so many picks in the earliest rounds will help the Senators have a chance to land some of the best and brightest talents to develop over the coming seasons.
Building a young team full of potential and talent should help to reinvigorate the fanbase, who have put up with some disappointing performances both on and off the ice in recent seasons, helping to build a stronger future for the team.
What do you think though Sens fans? Are you disappointed to see Pageau go? Are you pleased with what the team received in return? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!