When Ottawa acquired forward Matt Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche as the key part of a three-way deal on Nov. 5, most expected a Senators team that was only one goal away from the 2017 Stanley Cup Final to make a serious run in the postseason again.
Unfortunately for Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion, his big splash in the trade market hasn't translated into success in the standings, as the Senators have gone 9-17-4 since dealing for Duchene.
And just like that, Ottawa has gone from a legitimate playoff contender to a team that should be sellers come NHL trade deadline day on Feb. 26.
Take a look at five players Dorion should move before the deadline in order to salvage the dumpster fire that has become his club's season:
Derick Brassard
The Senators are loaded up the middle with talented prospects that include the likes of Drake Batherson, Logan Brown, and Alex Formenton. Mix in the upside of current NHLers Filip Chlapik and Colin White, and Brassard's skill set could be deemed expendable by the Senators' front office.
More importantly, Brassard should fetch a decent return, as the rugged 30-year-old pivot still has plenty left in the tank and can chip in offensively.
Through 44 games this season for Guy Boucher's club, Brassard owns decent numbers, racking up 12 goals and 16 assists to go along with a solid Corsi For rating of 52.1 in just over 18 minutes of ice time per night.
Brassard might not be the 50-plus-point man he was a few seasons ago for the New York Rangers, but his value should still secure a solid prospect or draft pick that would serve the Senators well going forward.
Mike Hoffman
Quite obviously the biggest name on this list, Hoffman could be the ideal player to kick-start a partial rebuild in O-Town.
Of course, it should be noted that the potential return on Hoffman could be at an all-time low due to his struggles this season (on pace for only 22 goals), but that doesn't change the fact that many GMs around the league would take a long, hard look at adding the perennial 25-goal threat.
Hoffman, 28, has recently been bandied about in trade rumors, but the talented winger's remaining two-year salary at a hefty $5.1 million per year might deter some potential suitors from pulling the trigger.
Regardless, Hoffman doesn't seem to be a player currently in Ottawa's long-term plans, so cutting ties with him now while he still has value seems like an option Dorion would be wise to pursue.
Mike Condon
Condon is another under-performing player this season that would still secure the Senators a respectable return in terms of picks and prospects, as the need for quality backup goaltenders is seemingly at an all-time high.
Sure, some would say that losing a serviceable backup in Condon wouldn't be a good look, but with Ottawa losing games this season at an alarming rate, it might be wise to auction off the veteran backup while he's still in relatively high demand.
Across 15 games this campaign, Condon has posted a 3-5-4 record and .894 save percentage - hardly numbers that you'd expect opposing teams to be attracted to. However, when you factor in the 39 wins and six shutouts he posted over the two seasons previous, Condon might just be another perfect piece to ship out to set the Sens on the right path for next season.
Ryan Dzingel
Currently on pace for his highest goal (24) and point total (35) of his short career, Dzingel's trade value has never been higher. Sprinkle in the fact that the speedy forward can play both wings, and his attractiveness as a trade chip grows exponentially.
The slick-skating American is in only his second full season with the Senators, and at only 25 years young his best hockey is still in front of him.
Dzingel also has another year of control to entice a potential trade partner, as the talented winger is under contract for one more season at a very reasonable price of $1.8 million per season.
His age and offensive upside might be enough for Dorion to want to hang on to. But given the nosedive that Ottawa has been on this campaign, don't be shocked if Dzingel - along with a few others - gets shipped out of town before Feb. 26.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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