Senators & Ducks Are Perfect Trade Partners To Solve Issues

The Ottawa Senators are still looking for ways to free up some cap space. They've tried and continue to try to move Mathieu Joseph, but his cap hit and term has made it difficult. The Senators have now resorted to looking at moving Erik Brannstrom who has a cap hit of $2 million AAV, is a RFA at the end of the season, and is only 24 years old. His rise hasn't been as the Senators would have hoped, but he is still young and has turned into an NHL defenseman.

One team that stands out and would be interested in Brannstrom is the Anaheim Ducks. These two have a very recent history as the Ducks claimed Lassi Thomson off of waivers when the Senators put him on at the end of training camp. He had a rough game and was sent down after just one game. The Senators claimed him right back. This indicates the Ducks are willing to take chances on defense as they have a very weak group this season.

The Ducks are young and there's opportunity. The team has lots of cap space and Brannstrom could find a top-four role. If it works out, it would be a nice surprise. Since the Senators are a bit desperate, the price also wouldn't be as high. In the offseason, the Philadelphia Flyers tried to get Shane Pinto off of the Senators' hands to take on the contract of Joseph. I think that in the two games for the Senators this season, Joseph has proven a little more valuable. Despite that, Ottawa would still like to move him and get Pinto signed instead. There is an opportunity to trade Joseph to the Ducks with Brannstrom as the sweetener. The Senators have Thomson or Jacob Bernard-Docker who can step in on their third pair.