Pierre Dorion addresses report of Senators player asking to be traded

This past weekend, rumors swirled around the fact that Ottawa Senators forward Derek Stepan let management know he would like to be traded in order to be back with his family, who are currently in the United States. This was major news given that the Senators just acquired the 30-year-old just over a month ago in exchange for a 2021 second round pick.

While these rumors blew up quite a bit over the weekend, Sens general manager Pierre Dorion appeared on Ottawa radio show TSN 1200 and insisted this story is false.

«Derek Stepan has not asked for a trade back to the U.S. to be closer to his family,» Dorion said.

This is a pretty big statement by Dorion, given that well known NHL insider Elliotte Friedman was on record in recent days stating he believed the rumors to be true. Whether or not they are, playing for a team struggling as bad as Ottawa is right now, paired with being away from his family, cannot be a fun situation for Stepan. Through 14 games, the Senators have just five points and sit dead last in the North Division.

If Dorion were to attempt it, trading Stepan would be difficult for a number of reasons. One is that trading during this season is extremely difficult given the mandatory quarantine players crossing the border are required to do. For example, Pierre-Luc Dubois, who was traded back on January 23 to the Winnipeg Jets from Columbus, just played in his first game last night. The other reason trading Stepan may be difficult is that although he is in the final year of his deal, he carries a $6.5 million cap hit. Of course, since part of the season has already been played, his cap hit would be lower, but still tricky for many teams to make room for given the fact the salary cap stayed flat this season due to the pandemic. In 13 games played this year, Stepan has a goal and four points.

shownhl_10562_shownhl

MUST READ

2 minutes ago  |  By Tom Banks Ottawa Senators' Adam Gaudette Snaps at Reporter After Disrespectful Question

1 hour ago  |  By Tom Banks Patrick Roy's Latest Interview Exposes Rising Tensions Between Him and GM Lou Lamoriello

3 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Likely Timeline for Chris Kreider Trade Disclosed by Top NHL Insider Darren Dreger

4 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Calgary Flames Unexpectedly Terminate the Contract of Young Centre

6 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Analyst Calls on the Boston Bruins to Make a Big Shake-Up Trade After Firing Jim Montgomery

9 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Blasts Officials After Loss to the Montreal Canadiens Last Night

22 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Several Teams Likely No Longer Pursuing Chris Kreider After Stunning Statement From Him in New Interview

Nov 27  |  By Daniel Lucente Negotiations Reportedly Underway With the NFL's Washington Commanders for a Return to Controversial Logo

MORE STORIES