NHL Rumors: What Can the Ottawa Senators Use Heading into the Trade Deadline?

A few team needs for the Ottawa Senators heading into the NHL trade deadline

The Chris Johnston Show: Chris Johnston and Julian McKenzie talk about the Ottawa Senators about their two-team needs, a top right-handed defenseman and a deep winger.

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McKenzie: “Jimmy has to ask the senator a question, if that’s all right, as we …”

Johnston: “I don’t get a choice, man, you just ask them. I answer him as best I can.”

McKenzie: “As we all know Ottawa Senators, GM Steve Staios has been studying, evaluating, monitoring, monitoring the market. Can you clarify who or what he has been thinking so much about and how he hopes to improve his roster, please? Please add to this question.”

Johnston. “What’s your answer to that? I mean, you’re pretty close.”

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McKenzie: “I think they, I, look, I think they need a proper defender in their front four. So it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s what they were targeting. They could use another deep winger to get goals. Those were like the two biggest things this team needed before.”

Johnston: “The problem with the right defender, when I don’t take them out, but that’s an expensive find, usually. Right?”

McKenzie: “Absolutely.”

Johnston: “I mean, we’ve talked around these parts, where I live here in Toronto, about the Leafs and paying Brandon Carlo. Well, what was Brandon Carlo? A right-handed defenseman who had two years left on his contract. That’s what made him so attractive to the Leafs. They gave up a first-round pick, so you could pick Minten earlier in the year. Since that trade, it’s not looking good on the Leafs’ end.

But part of the reason they got there, in terms of what they gave up, is, it’s hard to get the right D and make a difference. So, you know, it’s interesting to see if Ottawa can do that. Obviously, they are not a first round pick in 2026.

Now, there’s nothing I can say that you can’t trade for the first time in 2027, especially if you get a player, maybe that will be around for a while. It’s not just a hiring situation.

But you know, I’m not going to sit here and apologize for the GMs, but I think it’s a tough league sometimes to make deals. And, you know, Steve Staios, I think he’s probably feeling good about that move Cozens made at last year’s deadline. That one didn’t have much of a buzz either. So maybe, all this time, he’s growing frustrated, you know, working on something bigger that he’s going to bring down before March 6.”

McKenzie: “I think that, like last year, you are probably working in a secret mode, but yes, this year it will be a little more challenging. Since you do not have the first option coming this summer and not too many assets. It seems that you have or want to move, as it has been said all year that Carter Yaremchuk, these top programs of theirs will be available, they will probably be available.

So, I mean, this could change, but I’d be surprised if they end up hunting big game, if they’re not going to move, it’s probably their best asset right now.”

Johnston “Do you think they’re going to score by any chance, even if that ship has sailed?”

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McKenzie: “I mean, you can think of what they have right now, that should be fine.”

Johnston: “That’s right.”

McKenzie: “I don’t know if, I mean, Linus Ullmark, I mean he didn’t play the last game with Philadelphia, but maybe coming off the break, you’re looking at Ullmark and (James) Reimer as your tandem.”

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