Top defenseman lands on trade block as relationship with team is “particularly acidic“

It may come as a surprise to many but the Ottawa Senators are doing quite well at the moment, being quietly led by pending free agent forward Matt Duchene. There is still a lot of work to be done in the nation's capital, and general manager Pierre Dorion knows he might have to pull other trades to support the rebuilding phase in Ottawa. 

Chris Stevenson of The Athletic looked at which Senators could hit the trade block this season and strongly believes Dorion will make some changes on the blue line. He strongly believes that one defenseman that will end up on the trade block is Cody Ceci who could be moved prior to the Feb. 25 trade deadline seeing that his salary-arbitration hearing last summer was said to be “particularly acidic.”

"The most polarizing player among Senators fans, Boucher and Dorion have lauded him as a shutdown guy. A lot of fans think the only thing he shuts down are the Senators’ chances of winning. Word is the arbitration hearing between the two sides in August, which resulted in a one-year, $4.3 million deal, was particularly acidic. The fact the hearing even took place, to me, is an indication the relationship is in its final stages. I think he’s gone at the deadline."

Stevenson also considers defenseman Chris Wideman “most likely to go” and believes that centre Tom Pyatt could also be shopped at the deadline. he considers forwards Mikkel Boedker, Magnus Paajarvi, and Mac McCormick “dependable but expendable” and noted the Senators recently attempted to move forward Zack Smith and they could try again.

Several teams are looking to bolster their back end at the moment - the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins come to mind... and you can't forget that it has been a few seasons now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have said they need to add a quality defenseman. 

Ceci was selected in the first round, 15th overall in the 2012 NHL entry draft and has consistently played on the first or second pairing in Ottawa. In 17 games so far this season with the Sens, Ceci has tallied four goals and seven points. 

Clearly, a change of scenery could be beneficial to everyone involved.