Rumblings of insane trade between Boston and Ottawa.
Rumblings of a terribly one-sided trade between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators have emerged.
If you're a fan of the Ottawa Senators it might be time to start being a little concerned about the future direction of your team, at least if these rumors are to be believed.
It seems a forgone conclusion that Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark is headed for a change of scenery this summer, with the Bruins reportedly attempting to trade Ullmark ahead of the National Hockey League trade deadline this year only to have Ullmark block the move via the trade protection in his contract. It appears to be more of a question of where Ullmark will be traded than whether or not he will be traded at all, and one of the teams believed to be showing a great deal of interest is the Ottawa Senators.
According to Senators insider Bruce Garrioch, the Senators reportedly made a pitch to the Bruins to acquire Ullmark ahead of the trade deadline with that deal failing to materialize. Garrioch believes there may still be interest there, in spite of the fact that an NHL executive has informed him that the move would cost the Senators a king's ransom.
From Garrioch:
A league executive said Thursday he believes the Senators would likely have to offer defenceman Jakob Chychrun along with a first-round pick and another selection to acquire Ullmark.
It does make sense that the Bruins would seek a high asking price from the Senators when you consider that the two teams are division rivals, but I must say the Senators would be insane to give up that much to acquire Ullmark. Chychrun, a first round draft selection and an additional draft selection is far too high an asking price, especially when you consider the fact that Ullmark is entering the final year of his current deal. The Senators could in theory pay that price only to see Ullmark walk away at the end of the season as an unrestricted free agent, which would be nothing short of insanity.
Further complicating the move is the fact that the Senators already have $4 million invested between the pipes over the next several seasons after signing goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to a 5 year deal in the summer of 2023. Ullmark will likely be seeking a raise on the $5 million he is currently making in the last year of his deal, which would leave a ton of money tied up in goaltending for the Senators.
If I am at all invested in the future of the Ottawa Senators, I would be keeping my fingers crossed that this trade doesn't come to pass.