Heading into the trade deadline, not much action was expected from Pierre Dorion. Many believed he would try to swing a couple minor deals and get rid of some expiring contracts. However, there was a surprising move made leading up to the deadline that made many fans question what direction the Senators are heading in for the 2022-23 season. Here’s how Pierre Dorion fared in his 6th career trade deadline as GM.
Ottawa Receives: Travis Hamonic
Vancouver Receives: 2022 3rd round pick
Grade: C-
Personally, I don’t hate the trade as much as others, but I still think it was a deal that didn’t need to happen. Obviously, every team needs depth on defense, especially on the right side. Hamonic does shoot right, which is where the Sens struggle the most on the blue line. He’s ideally a #4 or #5 defenseman but looks like he’ll be slotted in the top four for the next two years. He could be a partner for Jake Sanderson, who is expected to be a top four defenseman sooner rather than later. In his first game he was solid but not spectacular, and at the least appears to be an upgrade over the recently departed Josh Brown.
Ottawa Receives: Mathieu Joseph, 2024 4th round pick
Tampa Bay receives: Nick Paul
Grade: B+
This one hurts for a lot of Sens fans. Pauls’ story has been well documented. From being put on waivers multiple times to finally becoming a fixture in the bottom six. It would have made sense to sign him and be a part of the leadership group. But the return at least makes up for it. Dorion did a good job of acquiring a player in Joseph who can contribute wherever he’s placed in the lineup. He’s 25 and an RFA this offseason, so the Sens can keep him for at least 2 more years. Plus, the 4th round pick is an added bonus.
Ottawa Receives: Zach Senyshyn, 2022 5th round pick
Boston Receives: Josh Brown, 2022 7th round pick* (becomes 6th round if Senyshyn plays 5 games this year)
Grade: B+
It’s no secret Brown struggled the last two years. So it may have surprised many that there was a market for him. Perhaps a change of scenery will help, especially in Boston where physicality is coveted. Coming in is Senyshyn, who could benefit from a change in locale. It was never going to work out in Boston, especially where expectations were sky high as a 1st round pick in 2015. Now 24 years old, he could work his way up with a new organization. He has speed and a decent release, which could be a boost to Ottawa’s bottom six. Upgrading a 7th round pick to a 5th round pick is a small win necessitated by Hamonic coming in.
Ottawa receives: 2022 5th round pick
Winnipeg receives: Zach Sanford
Grade: B-
Sanford came into the organization with minimal expectations. With 17 points in 62 games, it was average production for a bottom six forward. What frustrated many is that he possessed some good tools but struggled to put them to use every game. If he’s put in the right position, he could be a 40-point player. But it was clear he didn’t want to be in Ottawa, so they were well served trading him for a pick.
-Damian Smith
Twitter: @Damian_Smith