As the clock struck midnight to ring on Monday the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks were in the final stages of completing a minor trade.

The Trade

Ottawa Acquires	Brian Gibbons, LW
Anaheim Acquires	Patrick Sieloff, D

The Senators Return

Gibbons is a 31-year-old left wing forward, who stands 5’8” and weighs 175 pounds. An undrafted player, the native of Braintree, Massachusetts was first signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Apr. 4, 2011. He has since played for five NHL teams, including the Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, Ducks, and now, the Senators.

In 169 NHL games, the winger has 53 points (19G, 34A). His best season came in 2017-18 with the Devils, when he dressed for 59 games and registered 26 points (12G, 14A). He currently has just five points (2G, 3A) in 44 games with the Ducks. Despite that NHL experience, Gibbons has spent more time in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 329 games, he has amassed 160 points (55G, 105A).

Shortly after acquiring him, the Senators announced he will play in Ottawa and join the team on Tuesday in Washington to take on the Capitals.

The Ducks Return

Standing 6’1″ and weighing 205 pounds, Sieloff is a hard-hitting defenseman. He was drafted in the second round (42nd overall) by the Calgary Flames in 2012. The native of Ann Arbor, Michigan has only two NHL games under his belt. His first was in 2015-16 with the Flames and his second was in 2017-18 with the Senators. On both occasions, he has scored a goal. Sieloff’s career has been based in the AHL. In 257 games, he has recorded 47 points (8G, 39A) and 396 penalty minutes.

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His most memorable and regretful impact as a Senator was when he severely concussed teammate Clarke MacArthur on Sept. 25, 2016, during a team scrimmage in training camp. Since that devastating hit, MacArthur has missed all but eight regular season games, and 19 games during the Senators 2016-17 magical playoff run. At the time Sieloff concussed MacArthur, Senators head coach Guy Boucher said he did not feel the hit was intentional.

In hindsight, sending Sieloff to Anaheim also cleared a position on the Belleville Senators blue line. Few at the time would know that this position would soon be filled by Erik Brannstrom, who was acquired just 15 minutes before the Trade Deadline in the Mark Stone blockbuster with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Verdict

This is a small trade on the scale of trades but it gives the Senators a gritty roster player with some NHL experience to play on their third or fourth lines. It also cleared up that defensive position for Brannstrom’s arrival. The Ducks acquire a tough, hard-hitting defenseman. Although more versed in the AHL, Sieloff may be able to chip in every so often at the NHL level.

It’s a win-win for both hockey clubs.

Cover Photo Credit: Paul Sancya / Associated Press

Billy Morrison covers the Ottawa Senators and the Atlantic Division for Full Press Coverage. Follow Billy on Twitter, @BillyMorrison01.