It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re at the beginning of the Four Nations Faceoff break. However, general managers are still plotting their next course of action. Teams are zeroing in on the March 7 trade deadline and want to make improvements to their rosters. However, some teams may not be in a position to make some moves. A number of teams are up against the salary cap or may not have assets to trade off. One team that may want to add at the deadline is the Ottawa Senators. This edition of NHL rumours deals with what the Senators may do at the deadline, but they could be constrained in those plans.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Ottawa Senators May be Hamstrung at the Trade Deadline
Rumour: Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen delved into what the Senators may do at the deadline. The team has its eyes on players, but cap space and the lack of assets could be a problem.
Analysis: This could be the year where the Senators finally break through. However, Ottawa General Manager Steve Staios may want to make some additions to the roster. The Sens sit in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference during the Four Nations break.
However, the Senators might have some constraints if they want to be a player at the deadline. Ottawa only has $888,000 in salary cap space, which will limit the team’s options. Staios really can’t do a lot unless he moves out salary or other teams take on salary for them.
The Senators are also lacking in draft picks to spin into current players. Ottawa has to give up their first-rounder either this year or next year to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a 2022 trade. Garrioch said that a lot of teams are asking for first-round choices and Staios probably doesn’t want to surrender another high pick.
What it Means
Ottawa has been looking for depth forwards all season long. Their main goal is trying to get someone in the top-nine to bolster the team’s lineup. Garrioch also said that the Senators are looking to add some help on the defensive end.
The Senators reporter said that the Senators have been poking around on a number of players. Garrioch mentions players like Brandon Tanev of the Seattle Kraken, Gustav Nyquist of the Nashville Predators and Ryan Donato of the Chicago Blackhawks have been linked to the Senators.
Any one of those players would be a good addition to the Senators roster. However, this might require some fancy footwork with the cap number. Nyquist nearly makes $3.2 million while Donato gets $2 million and Tanev is receiving $3.5 million. Staios would likely have to move out some cap space in order to make a deal to happen.
Other teams could retain some cap space, but Nashville and Chicago only have one retention spot left. Seattle has all three salary retention spots remaining, but Tanev’s contract is the highest of the three players Garrioch mentioned.
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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