OTTAWA — Only time will tell whether or not the Ottawa Senators were winners on trade deadline day.
Senators general manager Pierre Dorion made a few moves, but none that could clearly be labelled game changers. The most significant acquisition was signing Anton Forsberg to a three-year US$8.25 million contract extension.
Ottawa claimed Forsberg off waivers last March and he has been the Senators most consistent goaltender ever since with a .916 save percentage in 39 games.
“We just felt that Anton brought a lot of stability to our net this year,” said Dorion. “We're over .500 when Anton’s in the net.”
Dorion went on to say that Forsberg deserved the contract extension for all the work he’s put in. The goaltender said the deal was a relief to him.
“This new contract means a lot to my family,” said Forsberg. “I have two kids and a fiancée who've been moving all around with me. It’s great to know where I am going to be for the next three years.”
With Matt Murray sidelined indefinitely by an upper body injury signing the 29-year-old Forsberg will give the Senators some stability in net for the rest of the season, but does muddy the waters for 2022-23.
Assuming Murray is healthy to start next season, Ottawa would have three goalies under contract. Filip Gustavsson is on a one-way contract next year and would require waivers to be demoted to the American Hockey League. Gustavsson is currently serving as Forsberg’s backup.
Dorion made it seem simple: “D.J. Smith will play the best one.”
In the days leading up to the trade deadline there was much speculation on Nick Paul’s future as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent. When Paul was a healthy scratch for both Friday and Saturday’s games’ a trade seemed imminent.
Finally, on Sunday evening the Senators announced they had acquired forward Mathieu Joseph and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft from Tampa in exchange for Paul.
Joseph, 25, has recorded eight goals and 10 assists in 58 games for the Lightning this year and is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Dorion said Joseph is someone they’ve looked at before and once Tampa was willing to make him part of the equation he knew a deal with Paul wasn’t going to get done.
“We don't want to take a step back next year, we want to take a step forward and bringing a player similar (to Nick Paul)," said Dorion. "(Someone) who I think might have a bigger offensive upside, me personally, than Nick.
"He might not be as good of a checker, might not have the bigger body, but probably brings more skill and more speed.”
Joseph is expected to play for Ottawa on Tuesday against the New York Islanders.
A couple weeks back Dorion made it clear that in order for this team to become a contender it needs to improve its blueline, and more specifically add a top four “D”.
On Sunday, the Senators acquired 31-year-old defenceman Travis Hamonic from Vancouver in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL draft, but Dorion wouldn’t confirm if Hamonic is the guy to fill that top-four void.
“We just let the chips fall where they fall,” said Dorion. “I think Travis has a lot of good hockey left. I think he’s ready to prove it.
“He’s not the player he was with the New York Islanders, but we still think he has a lot of good hockey. “
The Senators feel Hamonic will be a solid addition and acquiring him now allows the team to get a look at how he fits in.
“Don’t judge us on what’s happened right now,” said Dorion. “Judge us on what the roster will be when the puck drops or when we have our training camp.”
The Senators made another move on its blueline as they traded Josh Brown to Boston for Ottawa native Zach Senyshyn and a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2022. Should Senyshyn play five games in the NHL before the end of the season the Bruins will receive a sixth-round pick.
The 24-year-old Senyshyn has been playing for Providence in the AHL where he has 19 goals and.12 assists through 51 games and will join the Belleville Senators, but could be called up if he performs well.
Ottawa wrapped up its day by sending Zack Sanford to Winnipeg for a fifth-round pick in 2022 and acquiring goaltender Michael McNiven from Calgary for future considerations. The 24-year-old goaltender had been acquired from Montreal just two weeks ago and will also be headed to Belleville.
Michael Del Zotto has been recalled from Belleville and will join the team for Tuesday’s game.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2022.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
