The Ottawa Senators have largely flown under the radar this season. The club has quietly positioned itself in the Atlantic Division. The Sens are one point out of a playoff spot on the strength of a four-game winning streak.
The club managed to overcome the early-season loss of captain Brady Tkachuk, remaining in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Senators have gotten significant contributions from various fronts. But if fans thought the Sens weren’t going to make any upgrades, they’d be wrong.
According to insider David Pagnotta, Senators GM Steve Staios could have something big up his sleeve. Pagnotta noted:
“Whether it’s a Kiefer Sherwood, Brayden Schenn; they’ve checked in on Nashville as well; Blake Coleman; Staios is combing the market…to see what type of offensive players could be available.”
The comments, as made on NHL Network’s First Shift on December 19, highlight how the Senators are looking to make the most of whatever star players could be available.
The names, nevertheless, shouldn’t surprise fans. Just about every team in the league has reportedly checked in on Sherwood and Coleman. Brayden Schenn has been long-rumored. In fact, Schenn’s name went back to last season’s trade deadline.
So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Senators kicking the tires on pretty much every available player in the league. The club’s next move will likely come down to the right fit and price.
Senators Could Use More Scoring
It makes sense to hear about the Senators targeting top-six forwards. While Ottawa hasn’t had a huge problem with scoring, teams always look for more scoring. That’s why Kiefer Sherwood makes sense.
However, adding Blake Coleman wouldn’t necessarily be motivated by scoring. Coleman is a solid, all-around center who could greatly complement the mostly young Senators’ lineup. Coleman provides plenty of playoff experience and grit. That’s something that the Sens seemingly lacked in last year’s first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As such, it seems that the Senators’ next move might not be a question of if, but a matter of when. The club could be active following the New Year, leading up to this season’s unofficial trade deadline in early February, right before the Olympic break.
Ottawa Has Pieces to Trade and Cap Space to Use
The Senators have roughly $3.8 million in cap space. That looks good enough to add a reasonable depth piece, especially if the other party retains salary.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that the Senators don’t have an overwhelming number of draft picks this year. They don’t have a first, but do have three third-rounders. That’s something the club could use to make a deal happen.
Additionally, the Senators could part with a prospect for the right piece. For instance, 22-year-old Tyler Boucher, the 10th overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft, could be an enticing player for a team devoid of prospects with a reasonable upside. Perhaps someone like defenseman Carter Yakemchuk could be in the mix if the right player became available.
Ultimately, the Senators seem to have entered win-now mode. That situation means the club could be willing to part with draft picks and prospects in hopes of making a strong playoff run.
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