We examine five unrestricted free-agent defencemen – all right shots – who could help the Senators this fall.
Yesterday, we tackled some of the NHL free forwards who intrigued us. Today, we look at the defence, which is still the Ottawa Senators' most pressing concern. Given that he's the last line of defence, we even threw in our preferred free agent goalie option.
Chris Tanev
Tanev is the prototypical big, mean, smart defenceman every playoff team needs.
At 34, he is getting up there in age and has been battling injuries for the past couple of seasons. Nevertheless, Tanev would immediately insert himself as a top-four defenceman here. He is also, analytically speaking, one of the best defensive defencemen in the NHL, year in and year out. Tanev could be the stabilizing force that Thomas Chabot needs. It makes too much sense for both sides. A four-year deal at $6 million a season sounds like a fair contract for both sides.
Projection: 4 x $6 million
Dylan DeMelo:
Remember Thomas Chabot's best season in Ottawa, where he put up a career-high of 55 points in 70 games? Do you remember who his defence partner was? Yes, it was Dylan DeMelo. DeMelo is incredibly savvy at getting pucks out of his zone, reading the play well, using his stick effectively to break up plays, and, most importantly, knowing how to support an offensive defenceman.
It is no surprise that Josh Morrissey has had two breakout offensive performances in the last two seasons, paired with DeMelo. DeMelo allows Morrissey to flourish offensively while picking up the slack defensively for his partner. DeMelo would also instantly fill the Sens' desperate need for another top-four right-shot defenceman. Moreover, he won't command exorbitant amounts in free agency. He is the perfect signing for the Senators and Staios should do everything he can to bring DeMelo back to Ottawa.
And his epic social media content speaks for itself.
Projection: 4 x $4.5 million contract
Brett Pesce
Pesce might be the best defenceman on the market this summer. He's been one of the leaders on the backend for the Carolina Hurricanes, who have consistently been one of the stingiest defence corps in the NHL for half a decade. Pesce is another right shot, and Staios might have to roll up in a Brinks Truck to bring him to Ottawa. Would $7 million for seven years get it done? Pesce would immediately allow the Senators to have one of the best top-four defence groups in the NHL.
Projection: 7 x $7 million contract
Brandon Montour
Montour might make the most money from any free agent defenceman this summer, depending on how the Florida Panthers do in the playoffs. Montour is arguably the most offensively-skilled defenceman on the market. In 2022-23, he put up 73 points, but this year he only had 33.
Montour might not be the most defensively capable defenceman, but he brings a great shot, good puck-moving ability, and size with some added toughness that could be a game-changer for the Senators. If they threw 7 million dollars for six seasons at Montour, would he say no? That might be a wise course of action for Steve Staios.
Projection: 6 x $7 million contract
Matt Roy
Senators fans have brought Roy up a lot as another option to fill the much-needed role of a top-four right-shot defenceman. Roy is very similar to DeMelo; he isn't flashy but impacts games by doing all the little things right and being consistent every night.
Roy is a solid puck mover, not overly big, but still makes his presence known. He's been part of a backbone in Los Angeles that has brought a level of defensive prowess that has done wonders in the regular season with their 1-3-1 neutral zone scheme. Roy would be a solid plan B for the Senators.
Projection: 5 x $4 million contract
Goaltender (the last line of defence):
Laurent Brossoit
Brossoit might be the perfect fit in Ottawa. He's been consistently good for many years between Vegas and Winnipeg. With the Jets last season, he put up better individual numbers (2.00 GA, .927 save percentage) than his teammate, Connor Hellebuyck.
Brossoit also won a Stanley Cup last season with Vegas, where he began the playoffs as the starter but got injured midway through the second round.
Brossoit has never played more than 24 games in an NHL season, which is a large question mark. However, he has been good wherever he's played and could provide a significant boost to the Senators, who desperately need someone who can finally make some saves.