Senators acquiring Brassard from Rangers makes immediate impact
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators are so convinced Derick Brassard will make an immediate impact in their lineup that they gave up a piece of their future to get him.
The Senators traded Mika Zibanejad and a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL draft to the New York Rangers for Brassard and a seventh-round pick in 2018 in a trade announced Monday.
Senators general manager Pierre Dorion admitted trading the 23-year-old Zibanejad was a difficult decision, but feels the addition of Brassard, 28, will benefit the Senators immediately.
“Mika has great potential down the road, but we felt with Derick we were getting someone who was more proven, a better hockey player at this point in time,” said Dorion. “Our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs again and we feel that Derick’s going to help us make the playoffs and there’s also more there. We feel that Derick provides great talent, brings leadership into our room.”