NHL Trade Rumors are swirling involving the Ottawa Senators considering trading fan favorite and long time team captain Daniel Alfredsson to the Boston Bruins for a package of young prospects. The Sens would likely insist on a package of top tier players to compensate trading Alfredsson, while the Bruins would not even engage in talks with any team for any player if they are asking for Dougie Hamilton. Still, with the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline not until April 3, expect to hear these rumors persist for the next six weeks.
Generally speaking, during a full 82 game regular season schedule, the NHL Trade Deadline would be right around this time of the calendar year. The end of February is usually the time when many NHL teams scramble to decide whether they are a contender or pretender, making them either a buyer or a seller. But, whereas this season did not begin until the middle of January, the trade deadline had to be pushed back, giving teams much longer to determine whether or not they are in the playoffs race.
We know that the Bruins will be one of those teams. Boston is still a very talented team and will pursue some top players as they attempt to make another run at winning the Stanley Cup. The Senators are in the chase for one of the eight playoff berths, although, with teams such as the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers nipping at their heels, they will have to play better in order to hold on to one of the final spots.
Ottawa was a bit of a surprise last season, where very few people predicted that the Sens would even make the postseason. The hopes were even higher in 2013, but the shortened season has been awfully difficult to predict to this point. Trading a player such as Alfredsson may seem almost blasphemous to many, although, if he is to be dealt, the Bruins would be the most likely fit.
That rings true for multiple reasons. While Alfredsson would not accept a deal to many teams, Boston could be one location where he could consider moving. That is because of close ties to Zdeno Chara, as well as the fact that current Boston GM Peter Chiarelli used to work in Ottawa’s front office. Aside from those connections, the Bruins freed up roughly $5 million in salary cap room by clearing the books of Tim Thomas’ salary by dealing the retired/reserved goaltender to the New York Islanders for financial benefits to both squads.
The Senators do have time, but they are playing with their backs to the wall with so many key injuries decimating their chances to play at a high level on a consistent basis. The Bruins know that this team has the talent to make another deep run, but adding another key player or two could be enough to make them the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference over such teams as the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. If Ottawa decides they are not going to chase the Cup, expect the Bruins to come calling for Alfie to give them a better chance to do so come June.
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