When the Senators acquired Jyrki Jokipakka and a draft pick for Curtis Lazar at the NHL trade deadline, it was with the explanation that they wanted to add depth to their blue line for the playoffs.
Theoretically, that should not be a major need again for awhile.
Along with having the league’s top defenceman in Erik Karlsson, the Senators now boast what has to be considered one of the best back ends in the business.
In fact, when the Senators signed blue liner Christian Jaros to an entry-level contract on Tuesday, they informed Jokipakka, a veteran of 150 NHL games who had been earning just $900,000, that they would not be making him a qualifying offer.