This could be an issue with Senators trading for Kurtis MacDermid

Kurtis MacDermid, New Jersey Devils
Kurtis MacDermid, New Jersey Devils | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

One night before the Ottawa Senators' final preseason game, general manager Steve Staios made a trade with the New Jersey Devils.

In a one-for-one trade, the Senators traded away Zack MacEwen for Kurtis MacDermid. The two enforcers will be wearing different jerseys this season. MacEwen finished his Senators tenure with recording six points in 51 games played with 78 penalty minutes.

MacDermid will be a tough enforcer who is arguably a better fight than MacEwen. MacDermid had his famous fight in April 2024 with Matt Rempe of the New York Rangers. However, there can be one major issue for the Senators with MacDermid on the roster now.

MacDermid's salary is high for an enforcer who barely played last season

MacDermid has a $1.15 million cap hit per year until 2027. For a player of his type at 31 years old, MacDermid's salary may be a risk to take on for the Senators.

In his eight-year career, MacDermid has never played 60 games in a season. The most MacDermid ever played was 58 games for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2021-22 season.

MacDermid has been a Devil since 2024 when he was traded over to the team by the Avalanche. After the 2023-24 season, MacDermid signed a three-year contract to remain a Devil.

Last season, MacDermid only played in 23 games for the Devils and recorded no points. Twenty-three games played for a fourth liner who mainly fights and is having a $1.15 million salary can be a risk for a team to take.

At 6-foot-5, 234 lbs, MacDermid is going to bring size, toughness and the ability to fight to Ottawa. However, MacDermid's salary is one to watch for.

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