The fire sale in Ottawa continues.
The Senators have traded center Chris Kelly to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a second round pick in the upcoming June draft. The teams have announced the deal, which gives Boston a depth center they're desperately in need of, especially with Marc Savard out for the remainder of the season.
It doesn't seem to be the big splash that some Bruins fans were hoping for, but then again, there are still two weeks until the trade deadline and there are still lots of rumors out there surrounding the club. Kelly earns $2.125 million against the salary cap and is signed through next season. He's not one of those guys that can light up the scoreboard, but he's a fantastic depth addition for the B's.
At least one Bruins writer, Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com, thinks that this could be the precursor to the trade of another B's forward. We shall see.
For the Senators, it's the second trade of a roster player in under a week and it's another clear message that rebuilding process is in full effect. The return is about right, according to our Sens' blog Silver Seven. Here's what they had to say last week about a potential return for Kelly.
At least a second-round pick, considering the going rate for Dominic Moore is a second-round pick and that Kelly is a better player than Moore offensively and defensively, so that would have to be the starting point for negotiations. It wouldn't likely get as high as a first-round pick, but a second-rounder and a decent forward prospect wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.
For more, check in with Stanley Cup of Chowder for Boston reaction and Silver Seven for Ottawa reaction.