Trade Deadline Buzz: Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues Strike Blockbuster Deal

Senators Acquire Tarasenko, Mikkola from Blues

The Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues have completed a major trade, with the Senators acquiring forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola in exchange for forwards Alex DeBrincat and a draft pick.

Tarasenko, a seven-time All-Star, has been a key part of the Blues' top line for the past several seasons. He has scored at least 20 goals in each of the past seven seasons, including a career-high 39 goals in 2018-19.

Mikkola, a 26-year-old defenseman, has been a steady presence on the Blues' blue line. He has averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game over the past three seasons.

Blues Acquire DeBrincat, Draft Pick

In return for Tarasenko and Mikkola, the Blues receive DeBrincat, a rising star who has emerged as one of the most dangerous young scorers in the NHL.

DeBrincat, who is just 24 years old, has scored 30 or more goals in each of the past two seasons. He is also a very good playmaker, with over 100 assists in his career.

The Blues also receive a draft pick in the deal, which could potentially be used to select a future star.

Impact of the Trade

The trade is a major shakeup for both teams.

For the Senators, it gives them a much-needed boost to their offense. Tarasenko is a proven goal-scorer who should help the Senators compete for a playoff spot this season.

For the Blues, it gives them a young, talented player in DeBrincat who could be a key part of their future.

Senators' Remaining Needs

Despite the addition of Tarasenko, the Senators still have some needs that they need to address before the trade deadline.

They could use another top-six forward to play alongside Tarasenko and Tim Stutzle. They also need to add some depth to their defense.

Blues' Remaining Needs

The Blues also have some needs that they need to address before the trade deadline.

They could use another top-four defenseman to play alongside Torey Krug. They also need to add some depth to their forward group.

Conclusion

The trade between the Senators and Blues is a major shakeup for both teams. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in the second half of the season.