There’s some news for the Ottawa Senators on this Friday evening. It is a trade of a couple of 13th NHLers forward. However, both having a reputation for chucking knuckles. From the Sens Zack MacEwen and from the New Jersey Devils Kurtis MacDermid, are both rather one-dimensional, depth players. The counterargument would be both can showcase scoring touch when the game is on the line. Maybe this trade will end up being mutually beneficial or maybe it will end up as somewhat inconsequential.
Devils and Senators Make Trade as Regular Season Approaches
TRADE: We have acquired Kurtis MacDermid from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Zack MacEwen.
Les #Sens font l’acquisition de l’ailier Kurtis MacDermid du New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/NLELcfqA0a
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 3, 2025
For the Ottawa Senators, it basically seems like it is at least a replacement-level trade based on Zack MacEwen‘s lacklustre preseason. It’s not to say MacEwen can’t improve an NHL roster with his particular skillset. MacEwen had a tremendous beginning to his NHL career back in 2019-20. Scoring five goals in 17 games for the Vancouver Canucks really showed his NHL potential ceiling. However, throughout 237 games, he has 17 goals, 17 assists, for a total of 34 points. If he plays a full season with regular linemates, there’s a good chance he could develop chemistry. Plus, he is a very physical player and could fight anyone. His 323 career penalty minutes are a testament to that fact.
Quickly, it is interesting, from the Sens faithful, perhaps they do not have enough confidence in their collective group toughness. As a group the type of move after perhaps Arber Xhekaj and brother Florian Xhekaj from the previous night out was a sign that maybe the Sens needed a little more killer instinct in the lineup. They can’t be losing fights to the Eastern Conference Canadian rival Montreal Canadiens. When you really think about, it is even more interesting that Florian is battling for an NHL job. He needs ice time, so it needs to be earned in Montreal, like he has shown to execute.
Moreover, Brady Tkachuk and Tyler Kleven don’t lose fights, and they weren’t in the lineup. Things kind of went according to the expected script with some guys battling for NHL jobs, up-and-down the lineup, when you consider either second versus third line or NHL versus AHL. Both storylines pop up as ultimate team goals at this time of a player’s respective development. injuries pop up and AHLers become NHLers all the time on any given season across the NHL
Some of the Extra Details
From the other side of the coin, there is also a good reason this would be an ideal trade for the New Jersey Devils as well. MacEwen has been known to have scoring touch throughout his NHL career. He scored 31 goals for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL, 22 goals for the AHL’s Utica Comets, and that was his NHL career high (five). You see, he is the type of guy that can take a wrister from just inside the circle, and niftily, find twine on a Friday night.
Okay, he is a sniper if efficiency conditions are achieved. Moreover, does he have enough speed to be effective? As an NHL regular at this point of his career, it will be debatable.
Now, what Sens fans have been waiting for, MacDermid’s stat line. He’s played 288 career regular season games, 11 goals and 20 assists. Not far off MacEwen’s pace, interestingly enough. However, for the Sens advantage, he packs a heavy punch. His 391 career penalty minutes are backed up by his weight class. Ha, the two even have a similar amount of career average ice time, a little over nine minutes.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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