NHL Trade Rumors: Ottawa Senators Must Hold onto Filip Kuba for Playoff Run

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray would be crippling the team's chances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by dealing defenseman Filip Kuba. Hopefully for Senators fans, he actually meant this statement quoted by Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun:

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"I think he's one of our best defencemen, if not the most steady guy at this point in time," Murray said at Scotiabank Place Tuesday, the day before his once-again red-hot Senators host the struggling Washington Capitals. "He's played penalty-killing, power play, been Erik Karlsson's partner. (He) plays a lot of minutes, has great respect on the team. I'm not sure why his name has ever come up, but at this point in time, unless I got something awfully, awfully good, it wouldn't do us any service to not keep him here."

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It would make sense since the Senators are still right in the thick of the Northeast Division race. They sit only two points behind the Boston Bruins, despite being mired in a horrific seven-game losing streak just two weeks ago.

Murray would be crazy to tinker with this team right now.

The Senators have won three games in a row, and they just got back in step after that brutal end to January and beginning of February.

Kulba has played well during this stretch. He has a goal, two assists and he's plus-six during the win streak. He has been a significant part of a defensive effort that surrendered only two goals during that time.

Kulba and Erik Karlsson have been excellent together, logging just under 23 minutes of play per night during the Senators' resurgence.

Moving Kulba could result in ruining the chemistry in the unit.

We've seen more improbable runs to Stanley Cup glory than the one the Senators would have to make to accomplish the goal.

If Murray trades the veteran this season, Senators fans will never get a chance to see what could have been. Kuba is making $3.7 million dollars and last year was a down season for him, so the notion is understandable. He turned in an abysmal -26 in the +/- department, but has since turned it around to a solid +18 this season.

Kuba already has more points this year through 54 games than he did through 62 last season.

Kuba has been solid, though not spectacular. Still, he is a vital piece of what could be a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.

For that reason, Murray should let this team compete as is.