Mike Condon Traded for Ryan Callahan
The move clears up the goalie logjam a bit
The Ottawa Senators have announced the trade of Mike Condon to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Ryan Callahan. The deal also sends Ottawa’s 6th round pick in 2020 to Tampa in return for the Bolts 5th round 2020 pick.
Condon and Callahan both have one year remaining on their current deals, but back in June it was announced that the 34 year old Callahan had been diagnosed with a career-ending degenerative back disease. He’ll never suit up for Ottawa, the Sens have just taken on his cap hit and (presumably insured) contract.
Mike Condon’s future with Ottawa has been in question for some time now, especially with the Senators signing goalie contract after goalie contract. Moving him out clears up the goaltending depth chart, and will mean the team’s prospects will be battling each other for ice time instead of each other and Condon. It’s unclear at this point where Condon will slot in Tampa’s depth chart. Below Andrei Vasilevskiy obviously, but they’ve got a crowded crease behind their starter.
Overall, the Senators have uncomplicated their depth chart and received what will probably be a marginal move up in the draft, in return for taking on cap space they don’t need and salary that should be 80% paid for by insurance. It’s not exactly a blockbuster, but it’s good across the board.