Senators defenceman Karel Rachunek has been scratched from the lineup for the past two Senators games. Considering he's one of the Sens' top four defenceman, it's surprising. For the first scratch the Ottawa media speculated that it was the result of indifferent play and that Jacques Martin was looking to motivate him like a healthy scratch did earlier this year.

But for two straight games in a row doesn't sound like a motivational ploy? For back to back games? It doesn't sound right to me.

I think Rachunek is nursing an injury, possibly even a serious one. If it is serious, you can bet that Muckler would be looking for a top 4 defender before he has to release the information about Rachunek on Friday. All NHL teams have to submit medical reports league wide on Fridays according to Tom Benjamin in the comments of this post.

As everyone knows, if the rest of the league knows you're desperate for something the price will go up. There aren't a lot of top 4 blueliners on the trade market right now while Leschyshyn, Pothier, Simpson and Hnidy are a major step down from Rachunek.