Senators Exploring Trading Erik Brannstrom

The Ottawa Senators' season has now started and they still don't have RFA Shane Pinto signed. They have been working tirelessly to get something done, but the cap space is just not available. While attempts to move Mathieu Joseph have failed, they have come up with another option, trading Erik Brannstrom.

Pierre Dorian said that he is exploring ways to clear cap space to sign Pinto still. While the Senators continue to try and find a way to move Joseph to clear the space, they had now added Brannstrom to the conversation, per Darren Dreger.

While Joseph has a cap hit of $2.95 million AAV for three more years, he did lead the team in their first game of the season scoring one goal and one assist. Right now he is being showcased on the second line so he may become more attractive to teams and to spread out the scoring a bit. Brannstrom is under contract for just this season at $2 million AAV and is a RFA at the end of the season. He is much easier to move and is a couple of years younger.

If the Senators can find a trade for Brannstrom instead, they have Jacob Bernard-Docker and Lassi Thomson in the AHL waiting for their chance. The Senators would have a little bit to decide which is better suited for NHL time right now as they are both eligible to be brought up and sent down for at least another month.

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