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Low Risk/High Reward Trade Options For The Ottawa Senators

By Derek Lee |
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 03: Jesse Puljujarvi #98 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 3, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 03: Jesse Puljujarvi #98 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 3, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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As more teams begin to enter their respective offseasons, more players are becoming available via trade.

The rebuilding Ottawa Senators will not be a major player surrounding many of the top names entering the trade market, (although they have been loosely tied to Matt Murray and the Pittsburgh Penguins) but there are some nice low risk/high reward options that Pierre Dorion should take into consideration this offseason.

Jake Virtanen

Jim Benning just completed his first offseason media appearance after his young, Vancouver Canucks squad was finally bounced in game 7 of the second round by Stanley Cup favourites, The Vegas Golden Knights. The Canucks were overachievers in their most recent playoff run and Benning was very upfront concerning his thoughts about his players moving forward. One player that Benning and the Canucks are not pleased with is Jake Virtanen. The Canucks will almost certainly move on from their 2014, 6th overall pick and I don’t expect the phone to be blowing up when it comes to the 24-year-old, right-winger. The price might just be low enough for Ottawa to consider giving Virtanen a fresh start and an increased role. Virtanen fell out of flavour with Canucks head coach, Travis Green, especially in the playoffs, averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time/game. Despite playing the bulk of this season down the lineup, Virtanen had a relatively productive season, scoring 18 goals and adding 18 helpers for 36 points in 69 games this season.

These aren’t exactly staggering totals but much like Anthony Duclair prior to his trade to Ottawa, Virtanen is a skilled player in need of an increased role. Virtanen, again not unlike Duclair needs to build trust with the coaching staff to earn such an opportunity for himself.

Price point:

He could certainly be a cheap addition to the Senators, I can’t see him costing more than a mid-late 2nd round pick and it certainly doesn’t help when your GM calls you out personally.

Benning essentially diminished Virtanen’s value with the public act of displeasure during his most recent media appearance.

While I think the low risk/high reward status is a bit of a stretch in this instance, it’s at least a potential medium reward. I’m not sure Virtanen has top 6 potential any longer but could he become a reliable 3rd liner that could move up and down the lineup? Virtanen adds great speed and a decent enough shot but can lack the hockey sense required to produce on a consistent basis. If the price is right, why not?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens flips the puck into his own glove during a break in the play against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on March 03, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens flips the puck into his own glove during a break in the play against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on March 03, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Max Domi

Much like a certain Senators defenseman (Mark Borowiecki), Domi has essentially abandoned his Montreal Canadiens related posts from his social media accounts. Aside from that, the 25-year-old RFA also hired a new agent and is speculated to be on the block. I completely realize this is a bit of a hot take considering Domi is not exactly a fan favourite in this neck of the woods.

Domi would arguably be a perfect fit for Ottawa if he could be obtained at a decent value. Despite his dad being public enemy #1 for years as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Max is a blend of skill and some of that edginess that made his dad an effective role player throughout his career. Max already has great chemistry with Anthony Duclair from their experience as members of Team Canada at the World Juniors and as linemates in Arizona.

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Reuniting Domi with Duclair could light another fire under Anthony Duclair and the two could make for a solid/fun second line this season. Domi also boasts outstanding possession totals and is quietly one of the NHL’s best passers.

Let’s be honest, Domi and Tkachuk on the same team would at the very least add so much entertainment value that Pierre has to at least reach out to his Atlantic Division rivals to discuss the price point. Domi would not come as cheap as some other available options, he’s an established player in his prime (and also produced 72 points a season prior) but might just be worth it for a fair price. Then Ottawa would have to sign him to a contract extension and opt for a more patient approach with their current centre prospects. Perhaps you could also slide Domi (or a prospect) to the wing in the future.

Price point:

NYI 1st, Vitaly Abramov and Max Lajoie seems like a fair price for both sides.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 02: Jesse Puljujarvi #98 of the Edmonton Oilers gets a stick under the arm from Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on February 02, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 02: Jesse Puljujarvi #98 of the Edmonton Oilers gets a stick under the arm from Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on February 02, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Jesse Puljujarvi

It seems like we’ve linked Puljujarvi to Ottawa for quite some time and for some reason it just hasn’t come to fruition. Perhaps the ask is too high or the player does in fact have some major issues off the ice/in the room. One would think that trade talks surrounding Puljujarvi will heat up once again this offseason. The Oilers need to get something for their 2016, 4th overall pick, being yet another example of failed development of an Oilers top prospect. When you talk low risk/high reward from an Ottawa perspective, this is most certainly it! Puljujarvi continues to demonstrate high skill and tore up the SM-Liiga this past season, producing almost a point per game pace. While not fitting in, in Edmonton or producing anything substantial in the NHL to date, Puljujarvi, just 22 years old is worth all the risk if the price is anywhere near what’s being thrown about.

Price point:

The 6’4, 200lbs power forward, RW would be a dreamy fit (especially if Ottawa drafts Byfield) and potential top-line player if all goes according to plan. If not you’re probably losing a 2nd round pick and middle of the pack prospect like Jonathan Davidsson.

I don’t care of this guy purposely ran over his neighbour’s dog, he’s a young kid with an extremely high ceiling and a perfect opportunity for a team that lacks upfront scoring and skill like the Ottawa Senators. Here’s a recent example of the high-end skillset that the Puljujarvi possesses.

https://twitter.com/OulunKarpatFi/status/1299240822802706433?s=20

Quite frankly if Puljujarvi goes anywhere else for that price and does achieve close to his ceiling it’s a huge missed opportunity for the Ottawa Senators.

Ranking The Top 31 Prospects in the 2020 NHL Draft: 11. Yaroslav Askarov. light. Trending

As mentioned plenty of times in many places recently, Ottawa doesn’t necessarily have to make a move at this point. They could opt to be patient, develop their current prospects and remain locked into their original plan of spending next year. With opportunity, however, thanks to the salary cap issues that many teams will encounter, Ottawa would be smart to cash in on one of these low-risk options to escalate the speed of the rebuild and add another spark to a potentially reinvigorated market.

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