Can Senators move depth D-Man and push chips on Weegar?

With the NHL returning from the Olympic break and the deadline approaching, trade talks are starting to heat up. Things could get interesting for the Ottawa Senators, who are six points out of the final wild-card spot – held by one of their division rivals, the Boston Bruins – in the Eastern Conference.

Bruce Garrioch spoke to Callum Fraser from the Citizen of Ottawa about the Senators’ plans when they return from the Olympic break. To increase their chances of making the playoffs, the Senators want to improve the right side of their defense.

Callum Fraser said:

“This is clearly all about upgrading Nick Jensen in the Top 4… And Jensen isn’t going to give you a ton in return… But I wonder what it’s going to cost them.”

Jensen, 35, is undergoing offseason hip surgery and is in the final year of his $4.05 million contract. The contract does not contain a trade clause. That gives the Senators some flexibility in where they can trade him. This season, Jensen has 15 points (4 goals and 11 assists) in 54 games while being minus-10. On the plus side, contending teams are always looking for experienced defensemen as depth pieces for a playoff run. And defenders on the right are especially sought after.

The Senators could then trade Jensen, or the assets acquired by trading him, to acquire a significant upgrade. Perhaps that could include a prospect like Carter Yakemchuk or Logan Hensler.

Is Wegar the Top 4 Upgrade?

Of note, the Senators are known to be interested in Calgary Flames right-handed defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. The 32-year-old defenseman is currently in the third year of an eight-year, $6.25 million cap hit. The contract contains a complete no-trade clause. There is reason to believe Weegar would be willing to waive his clause to go to Ottawa; that’s his hometown team.

Wegar played 56 games this season. In those games, he has contributed 20 points (3 goals, 17 assists) and was minus-32 on a Flames team that has struggled.

Weegar is a perfect fit: veteran experience, offensive upside (he’s been a point-per-game producer at times), physicality and a contract term that aligns with the Sens’ contention window. The Flames’ asking price is likely high: a top draft pick (1st or high 2nd) plus a high-end prospect or NHL draft pick. That said, Ottawa has the cap space needed to make this happen. They just want him to sign it.

Could the Senators give Yakemchuk a shot instead?

Another option for the Senators is to give their seventh pick from the 2024 NHL Entry Draft a shot. Carter Yakemchuk performed well in the preseason. At the time, the thought was that the team might let him play a few games to start the season. Now that hasn’t happened and Yakemchuk is playing for the Belleville Senators of the AHL to gain experience.

This season he played 41 games and scored 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists), which is not bad. Yakemchuk was together with two others recalled to the senators after the Olympic break. So there is a real possibility that he will get a chance to prove himself at the NHL level.

Next: February 24 NHL Trade Talk Round Up