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Flat Cap Era Presents New Trade Opportunities for the Ottawa Senators

By Derek Lee

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 14: Ottawa Senators Center Logan Brown (21) skates with eyes on the play during first period National Hockey League action between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators on December 14, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 14: Ottawa Senators Center Logan Brown (21) skates with eyes on the play during first period National Hockey League action between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators on December 14, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Anthony Cirelli

TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Anthony Cirelli #71 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores the game winning goal in overtime on Marcus Hogberg #35 of the Ottawa Senators during a game at Amalie Arena on December 17, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Anthony Cirelli #71 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores the game winning goal in overtime on Marcus Hogberg #35 of the Ottawa Senators during a game at Amalie Arena on December 17, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Fit for Ottawa:

Anthony Cirelli is a young (22-year-old) Centre who can play up and down the lineup. Cirelli has significantly improved his two-way game and can be safely projected as a top 6 Centre, most likely a second line guy. Cirelli could be a Selke trophy nominee for the next decade and as a result leaped over the more established, Tyler Johnson as the lightning’s third line Centre. For Ottawa there’s already a logjam of young Centre’s trying to break through at the NHL level (could get even log-Jammier after the draft), it’s just that none of them are sure thing-top 6 NHL C’s. Cirelli is just that and adds an element of tenacity to his game that allows coaches to fall in love with him. He has enough speed and skill to play top 6 minutes and like Pulock, can be used in every situation. Cirelli would surely improve the Centre ice position for Ottawa and add to the struggling special teams’ units. Cirelli produced 44 points in 68 GP last season and averaged over 18 minutes of ice time. Cirelli also notably lead his team in +/- with a +28.

Why trade him?

It’s inevitable for the Lightning. Something’s got to give, and someone’s got to go. With the salary cap lock at $81.5 million The TBL will be one of the teams greatly impacted by the Corona Virus. Cirelli is an RFA due for a raise and The Lightning will be hard-pressed to get under the cap next season. Having said that, they too can find a way to get creative and perhaps look to move a more veteran player or two as opposed to a piece of their future puzzle. From a Lightning perspective it’s more likely that Tyler Johnson or Ondrej Palat are the trade chips they look to deal over some of their young RFA’s (Sergachev, Cernak and Cirelli) but can they keep them all in tact?

Price:

NYI 1st (13-31) & Logan Brown 22-year-old C

Alright Logan, you’ve dangled your way out of my first proposal, but the fun stops here. The Lightning would essentially take a flyer on Logan Brown, potentially replacing Cirelli in the lineup and can select a player in the 1st round of a loaded 2020 draft class. From an Ottawa perspective I know many will say that at that price there’s really no point in making the deal. My response, simply put, I think Cirelli is the type of player that could be way more valuable than people think. I see a young, Patrice Bergeron type, 2-way guy with a ton of potential when I watch Cirelli.

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