BlackHawks Acquire Nikita Zaitsev from Senators

Photo by Sergei Belski

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Nikita Zaitsev as well as a 2023 second round pick and a 2026 fourth round pick from the Ottawa Senators. The Senators acquired future considerations from the Blackhawks. Essentially, the Senators are not receiving any players or picks at the moment, but sometime in the future the Blackhawks will have to complete the deal by giving the Senators a player, a draft pick, or multiples of each. 

“We’re pleased to afford Nikita a fresh start. He’s a pro’s pro who showcased himself to be a caring teammate and quiet leader throughout his #Sens tenure. We’re thankful for his time in Ottawa and wish he and his family the best in his next chapter.” – Sens GM Pierre Dorion 2/2

— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) February 23, 2023

Zaitsev is in his seventh NHL season, he currently has 108 in 426 games. General manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, Kyle Davidson, said that the team is excited to have Zaitsev as he will add depth to their right side and is a defenseman of NHL caliber. Furthermore, the Blackhawks are acquiring draft capital through this trade, which will be essential to their plans of rebuilding.

Photo by Regina Pats

With Wednesday’s trade, the Blackhawks now have five picks for the first two rounds of the 2023 NHL draft. Chicago will likely be targeting the projected No. 1 pick, Conor Bedard.

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Sources:

Associated Press. “Senators Trade Defenceman Zaitsev, Picks to Blackhawks.” Sportsnet.ca, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/senators-trade-defenceman-zaitsev-picks-to-blackhawks/.

Kaplan, Emily. “Blackhawks Acquire Nikita Zaitsev, Two Draft Picks from Senators.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35713836/blackhawks-acquire-nikita-zaitsev-two-draft-picks-senators.