With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching on Friday, March 7, at 3:00 p.m., Ottawa Senators fans and media are in full speculation mode, debating whether the team will position itself as a buyer or a seller.
The Senators' tradeable assets account isn't deep, but it's not at NSF status either. And if they want to bring in a player who can help them make the playoffs, they could do that. Naturally, any such deal would need to include a salary dump that provides cap clearance, which further complicates things.
But Senator fans who want the team to bring in reinforcements this week had better be prepared to part with assets like a first-round pick, or Carter Yakemchuk, or some other compelling young player.
Generally speaking, the only teams that will be game to surrender a good experienced player this week are bad teams. And what do bad teams want? Draft picks and youth, who will help them rebuild.
The playoff-bound teams, or teams who think they are, just want players this week who can help them win now. That's exactly the type of player the playoff-starved Sens will want to hang on to.
Ottawa’s GM, Steve Staios, has almost certainly made up his mind about strategy, and this week's two games are unlikely to change that. But he won’t be speaking to the media now until after the deadline has passed. That's probably a wise strategy, one that hasn't always been utilized here in the past.
Meanwhile, today in The Hockey News Ottawa’s Sens Nation Mailbag, we asked fans what they think the team should do between now and Friday’s 3:00 p.m. deadline. Should they be buyers or sellers? What should Staios do?
Here are the top 10 responses:
- David Butler: They struggled to beat the last-place San Jose Sharks even with Shane Pinto, Josh Norris, and Brady Tkachuk all back in the lineup. They need to shake things up, but I don’t think much will happen until the offseason.
- Bordon Gombay: Buyers. Fans have waited long enough. They’re right there, just two points back.
- David Morris: Quoting Julian McKenzie, the Ottawa Senators won’t do anything because they can’t. They desperately need to make a move to keep pace with other teams, but their crippling salary cap situation and limited assets make a significant trade unlikely.
- CdnSh8knB8kn: I don’t think they should do anything this year. If it’s a knockout move, maybe—but only in that case. With limited cap space and the existing contracts, I don’t see much happening, and maybe that’s for the best.
- Anthony B: The Sens likely won’t do much given their limited cap room and few assets or picks to trade. They’ve been solid when healthy but need more consistency from the bottom six. If they can package JBD and a mid-round pick, maybe they target someone there.
- André G: I’d love for them to trade for Trent Frederic from Boston, but he’s injured and week-to-week right now. He’ll be a UFA after this season. He’s big, physical, and mobile—he’d look great centering a line with Brady and/or Timmy. Colton Parayko would also be a great addition.
- CB: Don’t trade JBD—we need the defensive depth. If they move Forsberg to make room for Donato, maybe, but I’d be happy if they just stood pat.
- Messens 2.0: Trading for a support player would be a waste of assets. Waiting until next season is a smarter approach to steering this team in the right direction.
- Kindness is King: Leave things as they are. If anything, just dump as much salary as possible. It takes time to undo the mistakes of past ownership. Be patient. Players who haven't played in a month need time to get back to form. Sens fans, reeeeeelax.
- Jim Jerome: Any move that takes Hamonic out of the lineup and adds some size up front would be great.
The Senators have a crucial week ahead, starting with a tough test against the Washington Capitals on Monday, followed by a matchup with the struggling Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. By the time Friday’s deadline arrives, all eyes will be on Steve Staios.
With limited cap space and assets at his disposal, pulling off any significant moves over the next few days will be a tough task. We're betting that on Saturday afternoon against the New York Rangers, the Senators will look pretty much the same as they do now.
But in this business, you never say never. Every once in a while, there's a deal to be made that not only helps you now but also in the future – looking in your direction, Kyle Turris-for-David Rundblad.
By Steve Warne
Site Editor | The Hockey News Ottawa
This article is from The Hockey News Ottawa. For more Sens coverage all season long, be sure to bookmark THN Ottawa. And check out the latest articles below:
Can Linus Ullmark Regain His Early-Season Form In Time To Lead The Senators Into The playoffs?
10 Years Later: Former Ottawa Senator Goalie Andrew Hammond Reflects on the Legendary Hamburglar Run