Nikita Zaitsev is on his way to Chicago.
Trade alert: The #Sens have acquired future considerations from @NHLBlackhawks in exchange for defenceman Nikita Zaitsev, a second-round draft pick in '23 and a fourth-round selection in '26.
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 23, 2023
It’s been rumoured for weeks months years that the Ottawa Senators were looking to move Zaitsev’s salary off the books and today it finally came to fruition. As expected, General Manager Pierre Dorion had to attach a 2023 second round pick and add a fourth in 2026 on top to get the Blackhawks to bite but the team has now freed up a large cap hit from a player who wasn’t playing.