The Ottawa Senators will likely be missing out on the playoffs for the third consecutive year but their plan at the trade deadline should differ slightly from last year's when they sent their top player — Matt Duchene — to a playoff-bound team.
This year, the main target is Jean Gabriel-Pageau and teams are interested. There are others on the trading block, and while it would be in the Sens' best interest to be sellers in the coming weeks, they should be wary not to go full-sale at the deadline or they could be in danger of being in the same position next season.
NHL trade deadline assessments: Edmonton Oilers | Vancouver Canucks | Winnipeg Jets
Dylan DeMelo and Ron Hainsey are also getting attention as the Feb. 24 deadline approaches. With Ottawa setting its sights on the 2020-21 season, it's time to stock up on draft picks and prospects but not in such a manner that the team finds itself doing this all again next year.
Here's what the Ottawa Senators need at the trade deadline:
Retain Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anthony Duclair
Sometimes the most important things to do and the hardest to get done. That is the case for the Senators and Pageau.
Ottawa has a shining gem, but what you don't want to do is dish it off and have nothing to look forward to next season. While it makes sense that teams are most interested in the best players, the Senators need someone who can produce for years to come.
The 27-year-old center is on pace for a career-best 51 points this season, and when paired with 24-year-old winger Anthony Duclair this team has the foundation to build a competitive roster around young, still-developing talent. Duclair has 21 goals (career-best) and 13 assists this season to lead all Sens with 34 points.
Pageau, a pending unrestricted free agent, appears to have had his name tossed around significantly more than Duclair, who is set to become a restricted free agent, but it would not be a surprise to hear that teams want either of these young stars on their rosters for a Stanley Cup run. It's Ottawa's job to keep that from happening.
Sell veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey
Hainsey has been in this league for a long time. Drafted in the first round of the 2000 NHL draft by Montreal, the 38-year-old defenseman has played with seven franchises (he moved with Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg).
While he has never been an offensive defenseman, his time-on-ice numbers have been peddling around the 20-minute mark this season. As of late, he has seen his time drop consistently, playing just 18:21 against Colorado on Feb. 6, which was the least since Nov. 30 when he played 16:50.
Blue line depth is always on teams' wish lists heading into game No. 83 of the season, so if Hainsey is someone teams would like to add in the eleventh hour, the Senators would be wise to listen; he is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is making $3.5 million this year.
A solid return for Dylan DeMelo
DeMelo differs from Hainsey in the light that, with 12 fewer years in the league, the 26-year-old could serve a vital role long-term for the squad. He also is known as a true defensive defenseman with just 10 points on the season — all being assists.
He plays just under 20 minutes per night but would be relied on more should the team trade Hainsey. DeMelo is set to become an unrestricted free agent and is making just $900,000. He was traded by the San Jose Sharks on Sep. 13, 2018, as part of the Erik Karlsson deal and should Ottawa trade DeMelo, it would leave Chris Tierney as the only player from that trade playing significant time for the Sens.
That being said, it shouldn't be off the table. If the Senators can get a solid return for the fifth-year defenseman, it could be worth it. The team has a lot of needs and while blueliners are integral, there are a number of young defensemen currently in the NHL and coming into the league to choose from.