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Connor Brown, Anthony Duclair
Both Brown and Duclair are restricted free agents at the end of this season and will be eligible for UFA status in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Last season, both players were key contributors to the team’s top six. While Brown played a more consistent two-way game, Duclair’s peak showed flashes of elite skill and speed where he looked like a player who could be a 30-goal threat. The pair find themselves in similar positions in the team’s plans as they look like they could be a real nice middle six pieces for the future.
Of course, there is the small matter of them needing new contracts. Because they’re restricted free agents, the Sens hold all the cards and can more or less decide if they want them back next year. The bigger question is if they can/want to lock them up long term. If the price is right, I see no issue with making Brown and/or Duclair a part of the team’s future, but if either is commanding what the team deems to be too much, either in terms of cap space of pure dollars, then the decision will be between signing them to a short term deal and risk letting them walk or looking to move them to a team that would either be willing to pony up for a longer contract or be fine with using them as a rental.
If they do trade either one, it would likely be to a team looking to contend either now or in the very near future, with the return being some combination of picks and prospects. Much like Nick Paul however, Brown and Duclair seem to be players the Sens value higher than other teams likely would, so a trade likely only makes sense if all other options have been exhausted.