NHL trade deadline helps bolster Belleville Sens depth

It’s no secret the Ottawa Senators were once again an active participant at the NHL trade deadline, completing a total of five deals, some of which will immediately impact their AHL affiliate. Below, we look at how these moves affect the Belleville Senators as they come into the final stretch drive of the season in a tightly contested North Division playoff race. 

 Senyshyn adds scoring punch to the playoff push.

The Ottawa Senators’ first trade on deadline day saw the acquisition of 24-year-old forward Zach Senyshyn along with a 2022 fifth-round draft pick from the Boston Bruins in exchange for veteran defenceman Josh Brown and a conditional 2022 seventh-round draft pick.

Head Coach Troy Mann says he believes Senyshyn, who paced the Providence Bruins with 19 goals at the time of the trade, will be a vital component to his forward group. 

“Scoring has been one of our weaknesses over the course of the season. It’s been better the last few weeks, and to add a pure goal scorer, that’s close to 20 goals right now, those are tough guys to find. I think he’ll add to the depth with Rourke Chartier out four to six weeks, you lose a valuable top-nine forward. Thankfully we have some pretty good depth with Logan Shaw and Cedric Pare being natural centres, so adding a pure goal scorer on the right side should help us. “

Senyshyn, a former first-round selection by Boston in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, has skated in 243 AHL games, collecting 110 points (59 goals and 51 assists). The Ottawa, Ontario native brings experience and the ability to get on the scoresheet regularly. 

McNiven reinforces organizational goaltending depth

During an injury-plagued season to goaltenders throughout the organization, the addition of Michael McNiven is a welcome sight. The 24-year-old native of Georgetown, Ontario was acquired from the Calgary Flames in exchange for future considerations. 

“The goaltending department has been in a little bit of disarray here recently” Mann said, “but to be able to get McNiven, who has experience at this level and can help Sogaard over the coming weeks. We’ll see where it goes with Murray’s potential return (from injury) or even Mandolese for that matter who we know will still be out for a significant amount of time. Flodell has done a nice job, but it was important to get a little more depth.”

McNiven will undoubtedly bring some stability to the Senators’ crease. Since beginning his professional career in 2017-18, he has made 82 career AHL appearances with the Laval Rocket, posting a 3.00 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage. 

Goulbourne joins Stockton Heat.

Belleville also made a trade of their own, sending veteran left-winger Tyrell Goulbourne to the Western Conference-leading Stockton Heat. Unable to find continuity in the Friendly City, the Sens moved the feisty forward in exchange for future considerations. After being acquired this summer in free agency, Goulbourne appeared in just nine games. 

Submitted by: Joel Vanderlaan / @JoelVanderlaan