The Ottawa Senators traded for Ales Hemsky one day too late.
Ales Hemsky trade: Senators acquire forward from Edmonton for two draft picks
The Edmonton Oilers finally traded Ales Hemsky, and the return is a little underwhelming.
Derek Leung
Trade Deadline
Trade Deadline
After allowing him to score a pair of goals against them in a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, the Senators acquired Hemsky for a third-round pick in 2014 and a fifth-round pick in 2015 on Wednesday just hours before the NHL trade deadline.
As part of the deal, the Oilers will also pick up half of Hemsky’s remaining salary, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.
Hemsky, 30, is in the final year of his two-year, $10 million contract and is eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season. His offensive production has slipped a bit over the past couple of years, and injuries have derailed his career at times, but he is still a highly skilled player that might just need a change of scenery. Given the small price Ottawa had to pay, and the fact Edmonton is retaining salary, it’s a good gamble to take.
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In 55 games this season he has nine goals to go with 17 assists while taking on more of a defensive role in Edmonton mostly playing on a line centered by Boyd Gordon. Going to an Ottawa team where he might have a chance to be put into a more offensive role and use his skills could be just what he needs. Sometimes these low-risk, under-the-radar deals are the ones that work out the best on deadline day.
Hemsky, an extremely productive player during his peak in Edmonton, has been mentioned in trade rumors for several years. Now that he’s finally been dealt the return is a little underwhelming.
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