After free agency in July, the Ottawa Senators are eager to start their 2025-26 season on Oct. 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators will be eager to show that 2025's playoff appearance wasn't a fluke.
With Brady Tkachuk as captain, the Senators are in good hands. Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Dylan Cozens, Thomas Chabot, Linus Ullmark and more will be ready to be major contributors for the Senators.
However, even with very little moves being made in August, some might think the off-season is still not done. One has a new trade projected between the Senators and New York Rangers that could send a shock to the NHL.
New trade projected has Lafreniere going to Senators
High hopes were all around 2020 first overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere when he was drafted by the Rangers. However, for a first overall pick, Lafreniere hasn't lived up to the hype. It also hasn't helped Lafreniere that Stutzle, who was taken third overall by the Senators, has more points in his career than Lafreniere.
Recently, Heavy.com proposed a trade between the Senators and Rangers with Lafreniere included in the trade.
Proposed trade:
Senators receive Lafreniere
Rangers receive Shane Pinto, Nick Jensen and two third-round draft picks in 2026
This is a trade the Senators should avoid at all costs, and it can be an overpay. Lafreniere being a disappointment of a first overall pick is the first concern. Lafreniere has recorded 193 points in 380 games played at 23 years old. While Stutzle has 326 career points, the most from any player in the 2020 class.
Lafreniere's contract is another concern for the Senators. Until 2032, Lafreniere has a $7.45 million cap hit per year. For being a first overall pick who has underperformed, that salary would be a risk for the Senators to take on.
Pinto is looked at as a promising piece of the Senators young core for the future, and is due for a new contract after this upcoming 2025-26 season. Last season, Pinto delivered career highs with 21 goals and 37 points in 70 games played. In a stat that might sound shocking, Pinto scored more goals than Lafreniere did last season.
Jensen's salary could be one the Senators may want to consider moving after having off-season surgery. However, losing Jensen could force Nikolas Matinpalo to play more, who only played in 41 games last season. Jensen was a defensive presence, and his +18 rating last season was the highest on the Senators roster.
The Rangers' vision with Lafreniere could be a questionable one with his big contract and underperforming as a first overall pick. The trade Heavy projected between the Senators and Rangers should be one the Senators shouldn't consider.
Losing Pinto who had a career year and scored more goals than Lafreniere did last season would lose offense, and could potentially shake up the locker room and fan base with Pinto being a fan favorite.