The Ottawa Senators have been dealt a significant blow with the injury to defenseman Artem Zub, who is expected to be sidelined for two months with a broken foot. This leaves a gaping hole on the Senators’ blue line, and General Manager Steve Staios is reportedly on the hunt for a top-four defenseman to fill the void.
According to Senators insider Bruce Garrioch, the team has expressed interest in Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson. This rumor makes a lot of sense for several reasons.
Marcus Pettersson a Solid Fit in Ottawa
First, Pettersson is a solid, reliable defender who can log big minutes and play in all situations. He’s a strong skater with good size and possesses a steady, stay-at-home style that would complement the Senators’ more offensive-minded defensemen. Secondly, his contract carries a very reasonable $4.025 million cap hit, making him an attractive target for a team like Ottawa that needs to be mindful of the salary cap. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Garrioch reports that the Senators are not on Pettersson’s eight-team no-trade list.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, moving Pettersson could free up some much-needed cap space as they look to re-tool the team. They also have a promising young defenseman in Owen Pickering who could step into Pettersson’s role.
Of course, any potential trade would hinge on the Penguins’ willingness to part with Pettersson and the Senators’ ability to put together an enticing package. It’s worth noting that Staios has a history of making shrewd trades, and he’s not afraid to be aggressive in pursuing players he believes can improve the team.
This is a developing situation, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. If the Senators can land Pettersson, it would be a significant addition to their blue line and a clear signal of their intent to compete for a playoff spot this season.
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