Ottawa Senators "Actively Seeking" Trade Of Veteran Defenseman

It's been an exasperating season for the Ottawa Senators and defenseman Nikita Zaitsev. The Sens are hoping to bring an end to his run in the nation's capital ASAP.

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I’m told @Senators are actively actively seeking a trade of D Zaitsev. They’ve granted permission to his representatives to speak with clubs. My understanding is Sens willing to move high draft pick or a prospect to accommodate trade. @NHL #HockeyTwitter

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) January 1, 2023

According to NHL Insider Kevin Weekes, the Sens are "actively seeking a trade of D (Nikita) Zaitsev." After failing to be able to consummate a trade of the defenseman earlier in the season on their own, the team has apparently granted permission to his representatives to speak with clubs. Weekes also reports that the Senators are even willing to move a high draft pick or prospect to sweeten the deal for any takers. 

The 31-year-old has been a disappointment for the Senators, failing to live up to his $4.5M cap hit, and was nearly traded to the Vancouver Canucks back in November, but the D-man reportedly exercised his 10-team no-trade clause, on which the Canucks resided. 

The Sens placed Zaitsev on waivers back on Nov. 9th, but there were no takers. He was thereafter sent down to the farm, when the prospective trade with the Canucks came about and then fell apart.

Zaitsev is currently on injured reserve after blocking a shot and suffering a lower-body injury in last Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins. He is in his 7th NHL season, and has seen his minutes trimmed this year by the Senators, down to just 16:44 TOI per game.

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