The Ottawa Senators are taking on the Calgary Flames tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Tonight's game is a battle of two teams who are each the second Wild Card spot in their conference.
However, some people may view the Senators as an afterthought even with having a 16-13-2 record (34 points) this season. To not be looked at as an afterthought, the Senators need to send a message to the NHL that they need to be taken more serious. A way the Senators could do that is by making a bold and worthy trade.
Big trades have been happening already in the NHL before Christmas. Yesterday, the New York Rangers traded former second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken. More trades seem to be on the horizon around the league. If the Senators want to be in works of a trade, there's one quality veteran on the Anaheim Ducks who could be a target to go after.
Ducks' Frank Vatrano could be looked at as trade target for Senators
On Dec. 6, the Ducks made a big trade when they acquired former Rangers captain Jacob Trouba and traded away Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick. With already making one trade this month, one veteran the Ducks have on their roster who can be a trade target for the Senators is 30-year-old Frank Vatrano.
This season, the Ducks are struggling as they currently sit in seventh place in the Pacific Division with a 12-14-4 record. According to PuckPedia, Vatrano is on an expiring contract at $3.65 million. With the Ducks struggling and Vatrano having a reasonable contract, Vatrano could draw interest from many teams.
Despite the Ducks's struggles, Vatrano has been a bright spot. Vatrano's nine goals this season is tied for the most on the Ducks along with Troy Terry. Vatrano's 17 points this season is the second most on the Ducks behind Terry. Vatrano recorded three points with two of his points being goals in the Ducks' 3-2 win last night against the Central Division leading Winnipeg Jets.
🚨 Vatrano X 2 🚨
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 19, 2024
This game is tied!!! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/HvxqToslOY
Last season, Vatrano became a first time All-Star and recorded a career-high 60 points. Vatrano's impact would be a positive one for the Senators. Vatrano would be a solid goal scorer who can play on the powerplay and play big minutes. Vatrano has averaged almost 18 minutes of ice time per game this season. Only five Senators players have more goals this season than Vatrano.
Vatrano also has playoff experience. The last time Vatrano played in the playoffs, he recorded 13 points in 20 games to help the Rangers make the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Senators can use depth and look for a veteran player who scores goals. With how Vatrano has played in Anaheim since last season, Vatrano is more than worthy of being looked at as a trade target for the Senators to make the offense and locker room stronger.