The Ottawa Senators are looking to trade former Chicago Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik, as reported by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. This decision comes as Shane Pinto is expected to return to the Senators' lineup on January 21, 2024, which may make Kubalik not needed.
At 28 years old, Kubalik is in the prime of his career, and his contract situation adds an interesting aspect to trade talks.
He's set to become an unrestricted free agent in July, so teams interested in him must decide if they want a short-term rental or a longer-term commitment. Kubalik's current salary cap hit with the Senators is $2,500,000.
In the 2023-2024 season, Kubalik has played 30 games, scoring 7 goals and 2 assists for a total of 9 points. However, his plus/minus rating of -13 suggests some defensive challenges that might influence trade considerations.
For teams needing offensive help or looking to strengthen their forward line for the playoffs, Kubalik is an attractive option. His skills and contract situation make him valuable, while the Senators could use a trade to address other roster needs or get assets for the future.
