Senators and Hurricanes pull off trade before season starts

The Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes are keeping busy on Tuesday, a day before the 2021 season kicks off, making a minor league move. 

The Hurricanes have have acquired defenseman Maxime Lajoie from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Clark Bishop. After Florida claimed Gustav Forsling on waivers, this move helps to reinforce the Hurricanes’ depth on defense. 

Lajoie was placed on waivers on Sunday, however, was not claimed at the time. Maybe the Canes had second thoughts after they lost Forsling on the wire themselves. 

This is the information provided on each player, thanks to NHL.com :

Lajoie, 23, has registered 15 points (7g, 8a) in 62 career NHL games with Ottawa. He has also posted 33 points (5g, 28a) in 107 career AHL games with Belleville. The 6’1”, 196-pound blueliner recorded AHL career highs in goals (4) and points (17) in 48 games during the 2019-20 season. Lajoie tallied 119 points (22g, 97a) in 203 Western Hockey League games with Swift Current from 2014-17. The Quebec City, Que., native was drafted by the Senators in the fifth round, 133rd overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Bishop, 24, posted four points (1g, 3a) in 25 NHL games with Carolina from 2018-20. The 6’1”, 199-pound forward registered 59 points (18g, 41a) in 201 AHL games with Charlotte from 2016-20 and won the Calder Cup with the Checkers in 2018-19. The St. John’s, N.L., native was drafted by the Hurricanes in the fifth round, 127th overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft.