Ottawa Senators Acquire Brian Gibbons

After sending out several forwards over the last few days, the Ottawa Senators have brought another back in. The team has acquired Brian Gibbons from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for minor league defenseman Patrick Sieloff. Gibbons is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and carries a $1MM full-season cap hit.

Gibbons, 30, experienced some unprecedented success with the New Jersey Devils last season, recorded 12 goals and 26 points in just 59 games. That kind of offensive production wasn’t expected given that he had just 22 NHL points to his name previously, and he hasn’t been able to replicate it this year. In 44 games for the Ducks, Gibbons has recorded just five points while averaging just over ten minutes of ice time per game. He cleared waivers earlier this month and was assigned to the minor leagues just a few days ago, though the Senators have already announced he will be joining their NHL squad in time for Tuesday’s game against the Washington Capitals.

With Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel already gone, the Senators are also expected to move Mark Stone and Mikkel Boedker before tomorrow’s deadline and will need some bodies to fill the roster card for the rest of the year. Gibbons is a versatile forward, though he isn’t expected to make a huge impact down the stretch.

Sieloff meanwhile is a 24-year old defenseman just waiting for a chance at the NHL level. Originally selected in the second round by the Calgary Flames in 2014, the physical defender has suited up just twice at the highest level. Amazingly he scored in each of those games for the Flames and Senators respectively, leading to an interesting stat that he alone holds. There is little reason to believe that he will be an impact player at the NHL level for the Ducks. Sieloff is under contract through next season, after which he would become a Group VI unrestricted free agent if he does not play in 78 more NHL games.