Senators are the clear winner in trade with Flyers

Why Dennis Gilbert is a perfect fit for the Senators' blue line

The Senators didn't just make a trade; they plugged a hole on their blue line. Gilbert, 24, can enter the lineup immediately or be the first call-up to cover injuries, back-to-backs, and PK, without a steep learning curve.

The defenseman has NHL experience with 111 games in six seasons, so he's a safer bet to integrate into the lineup than a prospect who hasn't yet proven himself at the highest level.

Gilbert fits seamlessly under the salary cap and allows them to move pieces on the blue line without sacrificing picks or cap space. He signed for one year with the Senators with a cap hit of $875,000. Furthermore, he will improve the baseline play of the third pair and reliably handle five-on-five and PK minutes in emergency scenarios.

Ottawa traded an RFA for a player who can contribute from day one. Gilbert's physical but disciplined game fits coach Travis Green's needs.

So, the Senators turned a future lottery ticket into a known commodity. Guenette, 24, needed minutes in the NHL and a clear pathway. The Senators could not offer him that and opted for more roster certainty.