Senators getting warmed up with their first trade of the offseason

The Ottawa Senators have a lot of picks in this NHL Draft’s first round, and kept all of them in their first trade of the offseason. General manager Pierre Dorion has acquired defenseman Josh Brown from the Florida Panthers in exchange for the Senators’ fourth-round selection (95th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft.

The 26-year-old blue liner registered eight points (three goals, five assists) and 39 penalty minutes over an NHL career-high 56 games with the Panthers last season. He was held scoreless while skating in his first two NHL post-season contests in which Florida was ousted by the New York Islanders in the first round this past summer. He is a restricted free agent. 

“Josh Brown is a big, strong defenseman who plays a physical style of game,” said Dorion. “He’s a defensive defenceman who skates very well and who is exceptionally competitive. He’s also a very good shot blocker who clears a lot of space in front of the net. We’re looking forward to seeing him in our lineup. “

Brown is coming home to Ontario, he who is originally from London, Ont. He was the Panthers’ sixth-round selection (152nd overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. Over 93 career NHL games with Florida, he posted 10 points (four goals, six assists) and 67 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 170 American Hockey League contests with the Panthers’ primary affiliates in Portland and Springfield over which he recorded 27 points (seven goals, 20 points) and 204 penalty minutes.

We wonder if the Senators are just getting started. They have have 12 selections in next week’s 2020 NHL Draft, including nine picks within the first 70 draft slots.

This is what new Panthers GM Bill Zito had to say about the move: “With an additional fourth round selection in the upcoming draft, we look to continue to add to our organizational depth. We want to extend a thank you to Josh for his time with the Panthers organization and in the South Florida community.

The Panthers now have eight picks in next week's 2020 NHL Draft, including two selections in both the third and fourth rounds.