NHL Rumors: Senators Shopping 2 Others Besides Matt Murray

The Ottawa Senators aren't done wheeling and dealing. The team made a giant splash landing Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks at the NHL draft, and now their attention turns to July 13, when free agency is set to begin. While the team has been close to trading Matt Murray recently, rumor has they are also shopping a forward and a defenseman.

Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev are both apparently available in trade talks as the Senators are looking to mix things up heading into next season. Brown is a work horse forward who can play all over the lineup. He's signed for next season at $3.6 million and is coming off a year where he recorded 10 goals and 39 points in 64 games.

The Senators are trying to move Zaitsev, who has two seasons left on his contract, paying him $4.5 million annually. He holds trade protection against 10 teams of his choice, a variable that has made things a little bit tricky this summer. Zaitsev's game has fallen off recently as he only recorded 11 points in 62 games in 2021-22, a tough pill to swallow for a defenseman making $4.5 million.

Ottawa continues to discuss trades with a number of teams and have interest in signing Claude Giroux on Wednesday when free agency begins. Lots going on in Canada's capital as the Senators are looking to get back to relevancy next season.

With talk about @Senators G Matt Murray potentially going to t@MapleLeafs , keep in mind ; he played with @OHLHoundPower , and Leafs’ GM Dubas was their GM, Leafs’ HC Keefe was the HC in the Soo then too.Familiarity is a factor. @espn @NHL #HockeyTwitter
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) July 10, 2022