Welcome to another juicy Ottawa Senators edition of NHL Rumours, as we approach the March 6th, 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline. As hockey returns after the break for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, teams are all of sudden in a race. Not only a race for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but also, to try to find ways to tinker their roster before the deadline. So, let’s discuss the Senators current situation.
Ottawa Senators and NHL Rumours and their Search for a Top-Four Defenceman
Rumour: The rumours start from Bruce Garrioch and Callum Fraser, contributors for the Ottawa Citizen, having a one-on-one conversation on the Sens trade deadline plans. They narrow in on the Sens top priority as looking to acquire a top-four defenceman. They identified the piece to improve was indeed Nick Jensen. We build on their discussion with some thoughts from the Coming In Hot Podcast.
Analysis: This is a definite necessity for the Sens to elevate their group, and as they push for a playoff spot. However, the difficulty lays in, do they have the assets to acquire such a piece?
We will note that it is unfortunate to need to mention that it is Jensen that they need to upgrade. But that is firmly a spot identified as needing an improvement. Jensen had started so well with Ottawa, playing with Thomas Chabot to begin the 2024-25 campaign. In contrast, a hip injury caught up to him, and he has struggled ever since. Will the time off from the Olympic break help? Just another layer to consider.
One part the Ottawa Citizen duo didn’t do was discuss possible pieces that fit the bill. That was something that Coming In Hot did dig into for us. The idea would essentially be that they really need to swing for the fences. According to PuckPedia, they currently have nearly $9 million in projected playoff cap space. Therefore, the possibilities are numerous, especially considering that money is probably going out in the deal, too. One player who had been mentioned was MacKenzie Weegar, and others that might fit the bill, include Colton Parayko, Connor Murphy, Zach Whitecloud, and Dougie Hamilton. Just as one example, Murphy is an unrestricted free agent, so would be easier to acquire. However, as Jason York suggested from Coming In Hot, maybe not an upgrade. The plot thickens.
One problem with these high hopes is the Sens lack of available assets to offer in return. They have no first-round draft pick in this year’s upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Also, their prospect pool is fairly limited. The two biggest assets would be Logan Hensler and Carter Yakemchuk. But, maybe the time is now. The time is now to pull the trigger on a Yakemchuk trade. Put all your chips in. This group is ready, let’s think about it.
The Argument for Now
Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson, and Tim Stutzle are all ready to make a run in the playoffs. They are the top guys, and playing at the top level. Just like Brady coming back from the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, for him and Sandy coming off the Gold Medal, you know they will be elevated. Furthermore, the list goes on from the supporting cast, too. Linus Ullmark, Thomas Chabot, Shane Pinto, Drake Batherson, and the beat goes on. They even have a great mix of veterans, such as Lars Eller, David Perron, and Claude Giroux. Guys like Batherson and Giroux are coming up on free agency, just further lending to the argument, that the time might be now. The parody in the Atlantic Division as another significant factor to pontificate over.
Now, there is another piece to their prickly puzzle. The Senators on-ice play. The Sens only have four games remaining before the trade deadline. The issue is, that the Sens may have left it too late to make a major move. Maybe this is the type of move that is better suited for the offseason, at this point. We are all keenly aware of how methodological general manager Steve Staios is in acquiring assets. If this group is able to make a push without any moves, you definitely don’t want to give up a top prospect like Yakemchuk. The idea of waiting until the offseason, is very intriguing.
The other wrinkle is that currently in the playoff and trade deadline push, that lots of teams are competition. Not only for the playoffs, but also, targeting a right-shot, top-four defenceman. The Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins quickly come to mind, as Graeme Nichols suggests.
So, will the Sens end up as buyers or sellers? Jason York from the Coming In Hot Podcast said “If they stay in it…I think these next games are important.” Of our possible trade targets, York really likes Weegar, as in he helps you now, and helps you later. But if that is his best choice, the timing and whether the Sens can even make it happen will be in play. Of course, if the Sens do fumble in these next few games, they could still become sellers. That is a possibility, as they have lots of veteran assets. These are veterans with Stanley Cup pedigree, and could bring in some positive returns. Just some food for thought, but things will sure be spicy for the next week and a bit. Stay sensational, everyone.
Main Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images