September 25, 2023 | 10:43am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
SENATORS WORKING TRADE LINES TO FREE UP CAP SPACE
Mathieu Joseph, forward
The Ottawa Senators continue to explore the trade market in hopes of moving out a contract or two and create some necessary salary cap space to accommodate other potential moves before the season gets started.
As TFP has previous reported, the Senators have engaged in trade discussions with multiple teams about some of their players, including forward Mathieu Joseph, who has three-years left on his contract and comes with a $2.95 million salary cap hit.
TFP’s Anthony Di Marco reported on Saturday, some teams are interested in taking on Joseph and his contract but want a sweetener in the form of a first-round draft pick or top prospect equivalent, or a combination of both, to do so.
The Philadelphia Flyers have spoken with the Senators about Joseph and are believed to be one of the teams asking for a high-priced asset to accommodate a trade. Multiple sources have told TFP’s David Pagnotta the Flyers are interested in forward Tyler Boucher, whom the Senators drafted 10th overall in 2021, but Ottawa has been reluctant to consider such a move.
As OTT looks to free up cap space, they have continued to look at options to move the contract of Mathieu Joseph and the 3 yrs (2.95M AAV) remaining on his deal.
— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) September 23, 2023
According to several league sources, the belief is that it will take a 1st RD pick or a prospect equivalent to do so.
Senators GM Pierre Dorion has also spoken with teams about restricted free agent centre Shane Pinto, but for the time being he remains focused on trying to get him signed to a new contract.
Pinto is believed to be looking for a short-term deal worth around $2.5 million per season.
Senators defencemen Artem Zub and Erik Brannstrom have also been swirling around the rumour mill of late. Brannstrom owns a $2 million salary cap hit and can become an RFA next summer, while Zub comes with a $4.6 million cap hit for the next four seasons and a 10-team no-trade list.
The Senators currently have just under $121,000 in available cap space, according to Cap Friendly.