NHL Rumors: Senators ready to name a captain; and are the Ducks ready to make moves?
Anthony Scultore
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The Ottawa Senators sound set to name a captain according to their head coach, DJ Smith.
“We hope to but that’a decision with Mr. Melnyk and Pierre. Everybody will be involved because it’s a big-time important decision,” Smith said via the Ottawa Sun. “But we feel we’re at that time now where we’re as close as we’ve been to naming a guy. It’s time for someone to be the leader of this group.”
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NHL Rumors: Who will be the Senators captain
There appears to be an obvious choice for captain and that is Brady Tkachuk. Even Owner Eugene Melnyk hinted at that recently on the Bob McCown podcast. “That’s going to be what we’re thinking about all summer and whether he’s the person for that.”
The Sens are trying to build their team around Brady Tkachuk. In three seasons with the team, the 21 year-old forward has 125 points in 198 games. Of course, Ottawa knows he is just scraping the surface of his potential.
So why not name him captain? Brady remains unsigned and the Senators want to lock him up longterm.
He is currently a RFA without arbitration rights, but Tkachuk is being very cautious and wants to see what Ottawa has planned regards to building a winner.
TSN’s Shawn Simpson provided the last tangible update on a new deal. “What was told to me by someone close to the Tkachuk camp, is that Brady loves the crew in Ottawa,” he explains. “But he’s totally waiting to see if ownership is willing to spend what it takes to deliver a Cup team.”
If they decide not to give him the captaincy, defenseman Thomas Chabot is the next logical choice.
Anaheim Ducks ready to make moves?
Eric Stephens did a follow up mailbag post in The Athletic where he was pressed for more information on his previous reports concerning the Ducks and Jack Eichel.
“The Ducks, while not publicly talking about their interest in him, haven’t put the kibosh on the persistent rumors that they’re among the teams closely monitoring the situation between Eichel and Buffalo,” he originally wrote. “While Adams is under pressure to get a massive trade return for his star, he does have some leverage in that Eichel is signed long-term and his full no-move clause doesn’t kick in until next summer.”
Stephens update to his previous report was straightforward.
Details on discussions Murray has had with Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams are tough to procure but I do think there has been some level of talks beyond tire-kicking. From what I understand, any talk that includes Trevor Zegras (or Jamie Drysdale) ends quickly. A return of four top assets for an injured player is another obstacle. In that sense, waiting could help bring Adams’ asking price down, because Eichel’s no-move clause kicks in next summer.
The Athletic
More interesting of note was the notion that goaltender John Gibson could eventually ask for a trade if things don’t turn around in Anaheim. The 28 year-old is signed for the next six seasons with an AAV of $6.4M. If he does want to be moved, a limited no-trade clause will also need to be considered.
