NHL rumors: Michael Del Zotto drawing interest, on Sens’ radar
While he has definitely had his struggles, Del Zotto is still a player with plenty of potential as he is just 23 years old and is under team control for a while yet given his RFA status after this season. He’s a puck-moving defenseman when at his best and has had plenty of experience running the point on the Rangers’ power play over the last couple of seasons.
That puck-moving ability helps makes him attractive to those five or six teams that have expressed interest, one of which is believed to be the Senators. Pierre LeBrun noted on the same segment that they would like to add another puck-mover on the back line to complement former Norris winner Erik Karlsson.
They have had this mystifying start. They have been so inconsistent and I’m told one of their top priorities on the trade market between now and the deadline is to find a puck-moving defenseman. Del Zotto is on that list of players that they have on their radar. But it’s a money-in, money-out with the Senators with the situation with ownership.
Del Zotto doesn’t cost a ton with a $2.55 million cap hit for this season but the Sens aren’t in position to take on any more money so as LeBrun notes, they would have to send some money back. It’s not entirely clear what the Rangers would want, though they might look for a little help up front at the wing if their interest in Martin Havlat was indeed sincere.
Given his struggles this season and the upcoming deal, Del Zotto’s name likely won’t disappear from the “trade block” until the deadline passes.
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24249603/nhl-rumors-michael-del-zotto-drawing-trade-interest-on-sens-radar