Rich in Ottawa, Ontario asks…
Jake
The Sens have set a club record 9-wins in a row. This is a big accomplishment for a team of their caliber and will help solidify a spot in the post-season. Given their cap room, is there anything the Sens can do before the deadline to help compete in this year’s playoffs?
Answer: Yes, but they shouldn’t.
The Ottawa Senators is the league’s hottest team. The club is a postseason lock. This success suggests but one thing-major additions should not be made.
The trade deadline is a day on which general managers make horrifying mistakes. Changing a thriving dynamic usually destroys chemistry. Clubs that “go for the home run” at the deadline usually pop out. Case in point, the Calgary Flames’ trade for Olli Jokinen last season ruined a hitherto good season. The Flames lost its division title. While one can identify counterexamples, the futile nature of major deadline transactions typically holds true.
Obtaining a depth player may prove useful. But, other maneuvers should not be considered during the season. Yet, as Brian Burke explains, the pressure of ownership, fans, and the media often leads general managers to make disastrous mistakes.
