Insider confirms Ottawa Senators moving some "big names" this summer

Deals between the Maple Leafs and Senators are somewhat of a rare occurrence, being in the same division and all, but new Senators GM Steve Staios seems hell-bent on making some big changes this summer and if the Leafs can offer them what they need, I see no reason why the two clubs can't make a deal.

The two teams had previously connected on the high profile Dion Phaneuf trade back in 2015-16, and it would appear as though if another trade between the two Ontario rivals does occur, it could involve another defenseman.

Per Insider Jordan Schmaltz, the Sens have made more than one defenseman available for trade this summer. Early speculation suggests those two might be Jakob Chychrun and Thomas Chabot.

Chabot could be an interesting piece for the Leafs. The 27-year-old defenseman has had some poor injury luck in recent years, but has been very productive when healthy. He's also signed through the 2027-28 season at an $8M AAV.

Chabot suited up in just 51 games for the Sens in 2023-24, but amassed an impressive 30 points. He also produced 41 points in 68 games in 2022-23.

Obviously, with Chabot's cap hit being what it is, if the Leafs wanted to take on that contract, they'd likely have to move Mitch Marner. I doubt they'd want to send him to Ottawa, so the best case scenario here would be to trade Marner elsewhere and then use some of the assets acquired in that deal to compile a package for Chabot.

Chychrun, on the other hand, makes far less, at $4.6M through 2024-25. The cost to acquire a player like Chychrun would be far lower than what the Leafs would have to pay for Chabot as well.

Is there a fit for a deal between these two Atlantic Division rivals?

Source for stats: HockeyDB
Thomas Chabot Stats & Bio