5 Trade Targets Listed For Ottawa Senators' Pursuit of a Defenseman

With an inexperienced third pairing, the Ottawa Senators are known to be in the market for a defenseman who could fill a consistent role on the bottom pair as well as kill penalties.

Julian McKenzie of The Athletic recently put forward five potential trade targets for the Sens to consider. Let's go through them here.

Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks

The 32-year-old is known to be on the trade block, as the Ducks look to move into the future in their rebuild, and won't be re-upping with Fowler when he becomes a UFA after next season.

But he offers a solid veteran presence on the blueline, certainly from an offensive standpoint. As a penalty-killer, however, or a lock-down defender, Fowler isn't quite what the Sens are looking for, not to mention the $6.5 million cap hit, which the Ducks would have to retain plenty of to make a deal here work.

Henri Jokiharju, Buffalo Sabres

The 25-year-old is in the final year of his deal, with a $3.1 million cap hit, and is set to become a UFA at seasons's end. As McKenzie notes, "teams will certainly keep an eye on him this year." He's really come into his own in the Sabres' top-four, paired with Rasmus Dahlin. He's a two-way D-man who can play the PK as well. As a third-pairing, he'd be a huge upgrade for the Sens.

Scott Perunovich, St. Louis Blues

This wouldn't be so much a "trade target", most likely, as it's quite possible that the Blues could place Perunovich on waivers at some point.

The former second-rounder has only found his way into three games thus far, and has averaged just over 11 minutes of ice time.

He'll be an RFA at the end of the year, and carries a $1.15 million cap hit.

Jonathon Merrill, Minnesota Wild

A UFA after the season, on a $1.2 million deal this year.

A stay-at-home defenseman with size (6'3", 204 pounds), he doesn't bring much to the table at the offensive end, but he does bring what the Sens are looking for as a penalty killer and a third-pairing veteran.

Justin Holl, Detroit Red Wings

For a bottom-pairing D-man, he carries a pretty hefty contract with a $3.4 million cap hit for another season still after this one. His inconsistency, as noted by McKenzie, is another reason he might not be a great fit for Ottawa's needs, as that's what they already have on that third pair.

It should be noted that McKenzie also had Timothy Liljegren on this list, but he has since found a new home with the San Jose Sharks.