Coyotes ship Stepan to Senators for 2nd-round pick

The Arizona Coyotes traded center Derek Stepan to the Ottawa Senators for a 2021 second-round pick, the team announced Saturday.

The 30-year-old pivot is in the final season of his contract, which carries a $6.5-million cap hit, per CapFriendly. He's only owed $2 million in base salary, though.

Stepan was once a steady offensive producer. In his first eight NHL seasons, he averaged 57 points per 82 games, but his production tailed off in recent years as he tallied 35 points in 2018-19 and 28 points in 70 contests last season.

However, the veteran may very well step in and serve as Ottawa's No. 1 center. The team's other options down the middle are Colin White, Chris Tierney, Artem Anisimov, Logan Brown, Josh Norris, and Nick Paul.

The second-round pick heading to Arizona was originally owned by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Senators still have their own second-round pick in 2021 and the San Jose Sharks' second-rounder.

The Coyotes were up against the cap before this trade, but they project to have $8.3 million in flexibility once Marian Hossa is placed on long-term injured reserve.

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