Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios defended the club's direction Saturday after a flurry of moves, including the acquisition of winger Andre Burakovsky from the Chicago Blackhawks. Staios admitted he tried to make bigger deals but expressed confidence in the roster's new depth.
Staios outlines plan to build Hurricanes-style roster
“As far as making other trades, we’re hoping to improve the roster,” Staios said. “We’re pleased at where we’re at now, and we’re going to continue to build on that depth. As you’ve seen, it’s a copycat league, and we’ve been in the process of building a certain way.” He is attempting to mould the Senators to play like the Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes.
Busy week of trades and signings
Staios had a hectic week. He traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for the No. 9 and No. 25 picks in Friday’s draft, plus a second-rounder in 2027 and a top-10-protected first-round pick in 2029. He then dealt the No. 9 pick to the San Jose Sharks for winger William Eklund, forward prospect Kasper Halttunen, and the rights to unsigned draft pick Brandon Svoboda. The club signed restricted free agent defenceman Jordan Spence to a four-year, $20-million U.S. deal, sent a fifth-round pick in 2027 to the Toronto Maple Leafs for goalie Samuel Ersson, and acquired winger Andre Burakovsky from the Chicago Blackhawks for a sixth-round pick in 2028.
Staios acknowledges bigger targets
Staios admitted he tried to make bigger moves. He confirmed speaking with the Anaheim Ducks about Mason McTavish before he went to the St. Louis Blues, and with the Utah Mammoth concerning JJ Peterka, who landed with the Boston Bruins on Friday night. The club attempted to trade the No. 25 pick for help but couldn't find a fit.
Defending the Burakovsky acquisition
Staios had to defend the Burakovsky trade. Burakovsky carries a $5.5 million cap hit but will make only $3.7 million in real cash, and he struggled last season with the Blackhawks. The belief around the league was that Chicago would buy him out, but Staios said he didn't believe that. “There are lots of players out there, in particular this week, and we want to stay strategic and disciplined to have the right players and the right fit for what we’re doing,” Staios said. “But going through the process on Burakovsky, and watching him and involving the coaching staff and looking at the variability to his game and where he can play, understanding that he wasn’t playing at his best.”
Eklund addition praised
Staios expressed excitement about William Eklund. “We’re really pleased to bring William Eklund to our team. We’re not going to replace Brady, but we bring in a different type of player, and I’m excited to see his skill set with our team, in particular with our top-end players.”
