The Ottawa Senators are at a critical juncture in their NHL season, with management actively searching the trade market for solutions to reverse a troubling slide. The team's inconsistent performance has forced President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios to consider external help to get the club back on track.
Playoff Hopes Dimming as Losses Mount
As the Senators prepared to face the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Monday night, their position in the standings was dire. The club sits 14th in the Eastern Conference, a full five points out of the final wild-card spot. This comes on the heels of a loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, extending a difficult stretch where the team has gone 3-7-0 in its last ten games.
Through 31 games, flashes of promise have been overshadowed by persistent inconsistency. The current pace projects to roughly 85 points by season's end, a total that historically leaves teams outside the playoff picture. The urgency for a turnaround is palpable within the organization.
Injury Woes Expose Roster Depth Issues
The Senators' challenges have been compounded by a series of key injuries, testing the team's depth and highlighting specific needs. Top-pairing defenseman Thomas Chabot has missed 12 of the last 13 games, creating a significant void on the blue line.
The situation up front is equally concerning. One of the team's most consistent performers this season, centre Shane Pinto, is sidelined with a lower-body injury and is not expected to return before the NHL's holiday break between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. To make matters worse, veteran centre Lars Eller, a solid offseason addition, is out for an extended period after blocking a shot in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets last Thursday.
Staios Scours a Limited Market
According to league executives, Steve Staios has been diligently working the phones, with his shopping list clearly defined. The Senators are seeking a top-nine forward and a defenseman to bolster the lineup. However, he is navigating a seller's market with a short list of teams currently open for business, including the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Predators.
With many teams still considering themselves in the playoff race, asking prices are reportedly high. One name that has emerged on Ottawa's radar is Vancouver Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood. The 30-year-old, who is on an affordable $1.5 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, has 13 goals and 17 points in 31 games this season.
The Senators are not alone in their interest. Sherwood has also attracted attention from Eastern Conference contenders like the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, and Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as Western teams like the Dallas Stars and Philadelphia Flyers. The Canucks' reported asking price—a first-round pick—presents a significant hurdle, especially for an Ottawa franchise that must forfeit its first-round selection in the 2026 draft as punishment for the Evgenii Dadonov trade violation.
The message is clear for the Senators: the answers must come quickly, whether from within the dressing room or via a transaction engineered by Staios. With the season threatening to slip away, the next few weeks could define the team's trajectory and determine if a playoff push is still a possibility.
