After the William Eklund trade the Ottawa Senators made yesterday, they only need to find one more top-six player to fill out their lineup. Obviously, that is easier said than done considering the current market and the prices teams are paying for players, especially after the Bowen Byram trade. At this rate, the Senators have been able to replace roughly 75% of the offensive output that was lost in the Brady Tkachuk trade. Who else could the Senators be targeting to fill the remaining gap?
JJ Peterka
Peterka was traded to the Utah Mammoth last offseason, and so far it hasn’t quite worked out for the German winger, who put up only 25 goals and 47 points in his first season. Utah did make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but Peterka wasn’t much of a factor, recording zero points in six games.
It may be premature to move on from a player who was just acquired, but if the Senators make the right offer, Utah may be convinced to move him. Peterka is good friends with Senators centre Tim Stützle, and the two have great chemistry dating back to their days together with Team Germany at the World Juniors. It will be an interesting storyline to follow because acquiring Peterka would help correct the misstep of not drafting him in 2020.
Mason McTavish
A name that has been connected to Ottawa for some time is Mason McTavish, the Carp, Ontario native. McTavish is an interesting player because he profiles well as a power forward thanks to his size and playing style, but the biggest knock against him is his foot speed.
There is also the connection that General Manager Steve Staios was his GM with the Brantford Bulldogs. It seemed as though McTavish’s role diminished this year on the Anaheim Ducks despite the team taking a major step forward. McTavish is still a consistent 40-point player even in a reduced role, so what could he look like with the backing of Ottawa’s coaches and management?
A fresh change of scenery may do McTavish some good, and a line featuring both Dylan Cozens and McTavish could be extremely physical and difficult to play against.
Alexis Lafrenière
The first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft has found himself struggling to live up to the expectations that come with that title on the New York Rangers. This isn’t to say that Lafrenière hasn’t developed into a top-six player, but many expected him to become a bona fide star.
While Lafrenière’s point totals have improved, the Rangers are approaching a point where a decision must be made about whether a rebuild or retool is the best path forward. Lafrenière has established himself as a 50-point player who can drive play and score. Taking a chance on him would make for an intriguing trade for the Senators and would instantly add skill to their top six.
Brock Boeser
The Senators would certainly welcome the goal-scoring pedigree that Brock Boeser brings. Boeser has scored more than 20 goals seven times in his nine-year NHL career. Context is important in evaluating some players, and Boeser has been the subject of trade rumours for years. On top of that, the Vancouver Canucks seem to be in a similar position to where the Senators were during the Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone era.
If the Canucks commit to a rebuild and begin shedding salary, Boeser would be an excellent addition for Ottawa because even in down years, he scores 20-plus goals. Having a player with a shoot-first mentality on Stützle’s wing is exactly the type of move Staios should be pursuing.
Rickard Rakell
There appears to be a possibility that the Pittsburgh Penguins could finally move Rakell after years of trade speculation. However, their playoff appearance this past season may reinforce the belief that they need impact players right now while Sidney Crosby is still leading the team.
Rakell brings proven goal-scoring ability, with 102 goals over the last two seasons, and his cap hit is a very manageable $5 million per year for the next two years. He has the speed and skill to keep up with Stützle. The question is whether a 33-year-old is the right answer for the remaining hole in Ottawa’s top six.
The wealth of draft capital the Senators received in the Tkachuk trade has opened up avenues that Staios previously did not have. His trade chips included prospects such as Logan Hensler, roster players like Fabian Zetterlund and Jordan Spence, and future draft picks. The Senators have already brought in one impact player and two prospects with just one of the assets they received.
If the Senators can acquire another 50-plus-point player, they will have effectively replaced the offensive production Brady Tkachuk provided—and perhaps even improved upon it.
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