The New York Rangers trade center Derick Brassard and a 2018 7th round pick to the Ottawa Senators for center Mike Zibanejad and 2018 2nd round pick.
Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators GM Pierre Dorion is hoping that Brassard will improve the Senators next season enough to get them back into the playoffs.
“Mika has great potential down the road, but we felt Derick is more proven,” said Dorion. “When you trade a player like Mika, who has been in the organization, it was not an easy phone call to make, but when you feel like you can take a step forward, you have to take it. We felt as an organization it was the best thing to do.”
Brassard has two years into his five-year, $25 million contract. The deal was front loaded, with the Senators only owing him $10 million over the next three season.
Zibanejad will carry a $3.25 million salary next season and will be a RFA with arbitration rights next summer.
Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: Rangers GM Jeff Gorton on the trade:
“If I had another move, I wouldn’t tell you,” he kidded. “The ability to get , to get a younger player, to get a guy that’s fast, big, plays real well in his own zone, can do a lot of things for us — that’s the exciting piece. The fact that we have salary-cap space is good. We’ll look at everything now.”
Derick Brassard
Mike Zibanejad