Report: Senators talking to teams about Brassard

The Ottawa Senators have reportedly let it be known that Derick Brassard is available, but they want a sizable return. The asking price is believed to be a first-round pick, a top prospect, and a third piece, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Brassard will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2018-19 campaign and has a cap hit of $5 million. He has 14 goals and 16 assists in 52 games this season.

Earlier this season, the 30-year-old center said he'd be open to a trade, but about a week later, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators wouldn't trade Brassard. Now, it appears they've become more open to the idea.

Selling at the deadline is the obvious philosophy for most bottom-feeding teams, but the Senators have more incentive to win than their fellow basement dwellers.

That's because Ottawa dealt its 2018 first-round pick to Colorado in the Matt Duchene trade. However, the selection is top-10 protected, meaning if the Senators wind up choosing in the top 10 this year, they would have the option to keep the pick. In that case, Colorado would get their 2019 first-round pick no matter what.

While Ottawa is currently sitting 29th in the standings, another poor finish next year would result in a gift-wrapped lottery pick going to the Avalanche. For that reason, trading Brassard may not necessarily be a no-brainer since he can still help the team next season.