The Ottawa Senators have traded defenseman Chris Wideman to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2020 sixth-round pick.
The pick originally belonged to the St. Louis Blues who traded it to the Oilers for defenseman Jakub Jerabek.
The 28-year old defenseman was drafted 100th overall in the fourth round of the 2009 draft by the Senators. He carries a $1 million cap hit and will be a UFA at the end of the season.
Bruce Garrioch: Senators GM Pierre Dorion: “The emergence of some of our younger defencemen this season afforded us with an ability to consider moving a veteran player. While we didn’t necessarily want to lose Chris, we remain committed to the importance of putting players who will make up our long-term core in areas where they will learn by way of gaining on-the-job NHL experience. Receiving a pick in return for a player on an expiring contract also enables us to continue on the path of rebuilding with an eye both on the present and most importantly, the future.”
Thoughts from the media
Daniel Nugent-Bowman: “Wideman brings an element the Oilers could use at a reasonable price tag. Didn’t have to give up much to get him. Seems like a worthwhile move.”
Don Brennan: “Impatient #Senators should have been able to get more for Chris Wideman than a sixth round pick from the Oilers. They drafted Wideman with a fourth then spent six seasons developing him. A desperate team would have offered more closer to the deadline.”
Mark Spector: Chris Wideman after the trade: “I’m so excited I got on the flight tonight.” guesses that he won’t be in the lineup today.
Save for his first season, Chris Wideman was a positive impact player at both ends of the ice, albeit in a very limited role. pic.twitter.com/DIXEXBopti
— Sens Charts (@SensCharts) November 22, 2018
Here’s his current isolated impact from @HockeyViz. He’s been less impactful this season, although his presence on the power play will be missed. He was averaging 2:30 per game on the PP, a career high. pic.twitter.com/vwQIIJBae9
— Sens Charts (@SensCharts) November 22, 2018
