Ottawa Senators' Best Trade Of The Past Year

There are two big trades that are in consideration for the best of the past year for the Ottawa Senators as they got great deals on both. First was the acquisition of Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks for a high first round pick, a second round pick, and a future third rounder. DeBrincat was not only 24 years old and a two-time 40-goal scorer at the time, he was under contract for this season at a great price and is a restricted free agent at the end of the deal. Whether the Senators can extend him or not, they will either get a very good young forward or a likely strong return from trading him in the offseason.

Players like DeBrincat don't come along very often, especially not at a good price and team control at such a young age. The Senators have already got great value out of the trade with much more to come regardless of the outcome.

The second big trade was acquiring Jakob Chychrun at the trade deadline from the Arizona Coyotes. After so long and with many rumours that the price was going to be extremely high, the Senators paid well below the value to acquire the prized young defenceman. It most likely only cost the Senators one first round pick and no prospects after two firsts and a top prospect was rumoured.

The Coyotes received a first round pick, a conditional second round pick, and another second round pick. The condition for the second round pick to become a first is if the Senators make the conference finals this season, which is very unlikely considering they may not even make the playoffs. It may have given the Coyotes hope, but the Senators did well to include that so they will likely only have to give up one first rounder.

Considering the contract of Chychrun is much better than DeBrincat's because there are two years remaining at $1.4 million AAV less, the advantage goes to this trade. DeBrincat does have team control, but the rumours are that he is going to be qualified for one year and then become a UFA after next season. Thus, the cap hit will be much higher. Yes, there is an injury concern for Chychrun, but he also may stay healthy for most of his time in Ottawa too. It's close and the Senators have definitely done a great job making trades.