The Ottawa Senators have had a difficult season on the ice and have spurred up trade rumours recently. Their newly minted General Manager Steve Staios made news about the types of targets he will pursue. Basically, he was looking to inject veterans into this lineup. He had referred to the type of players, as professionals, the guys that stay late at practice. They will take hits to make plays. Most importantly, they hold leads and win you games in the trenches.
Forwards Wanted to Kick Start the Ottawa Senators Trade Rumours
And you know what that means? We decided to open an investigation into what that means. Here we attempt to build a list of the top six forwards around the NHL who fit the build. Now, as a note, these players are not necessarily available, or probable, based on salaries. However, these players do contain the traits the Senators need in their lineup. They do have a certain draw to them, and depending on who management is willing to give up, everyone is for sale, right?
Brayden Schenn
This player has always been a stud. This St. Louis Blue is currently signed until he is 36 at $6.5 million. When you look at Nick Foligno signing a two-year deal at $4.5 M, that expires when he is 38, it is reasonable. Now, if the Senators did decide to make noise amidst all these trade rumours and target Schenn, you would be sure of two things. First of all, bringing in a veteran at that price tag, they are serious about winning now. That is to say, there are no thoughts of a rebuild on the horizon. Secondly, and why we started here, barring any salary retention, or trade negotiation wizardry, by the inexperienced Staios, something has to give. The club would need to look at giving up someone substantial who was considered a part of the team’s core.
What Makes Schenn a Professional and Thus Suitable for Ottawa Senators Trade Rumours Talks?
At look at Schenn from a professional aspect, he is everything you could ask for in a player. He played on strong teams early on in his career and was given a fair deal of responsibility. Also, he is consistent offensively, as he is a seven-time, 20-goal scorer in the NHL. Furthermore, he knows about the grind of the NHL. He has 75 career playoff games under his belt, including winning the 2019 Stanley Cup with the Blues. If the Senators can fit Schenn in while retaining Vladimir Tarasenko’s salary, the two have familiarity with one another. Finally, here’s a lame attempt to not introduce personal bias, and why Schenn would be ideal. No scout has ever scanned an NHL roster and said that lineup has too many players from the Canadian prairies.
Ryan Hartman
The Minnesota Wild Right Winger Ryan Hartman, 29, is a great example of a hockey player who conducts himself professionally. Throughout his 10-year NHL career, he has 255 points appearing in 542 games. In addition, he is not too far removed from a career-high 34-goal campaign in 2021-22. He is versatile, with a career oZS% of 52.5. Also, he can play several roles, whether offensively or defensively thanks to his skating, within the middle six of the forward lines. The idea here is that the Wild are struggling in the standings, currently second last in the Central Division. Therefore, they are likely sellers. One more desirable feature of Hartman is his $1.7M cap hit. This could work both ways, as it would make it more difficult to convince the Wild to (cheaply) give up the contract.
Marcus Foligno
Sticking with the Wild theme, and perhaps some familiarity with Sens circles is Marcus. Of course, his brother, Nick, was a draft pick by Ottawa once upon a time. So, at 32 years old, we know he has the pedigree to have a number of solid years left. At 6’3”, 224 lbs, Marcus brings a lot of the intangibles the Senators yearn for. His most desired trait is his physical play, but he does have a nose for the net. In 2021-22 he potted 23 red lights. Now, Foligno does come with a catch, and that is the $4M cap hit. So, like others mentioned here, this acquisition would come at the expense of trading a roster piece. However, both teams, the Sens and Wild do have options in that regard. Things could get spicy!
Ryan O’Reilly
The Nashville Predators are another team in an interesting spot and a perennial playoff bubble battler. They are currently entrenched in a Wild Card race, but maybe like the Sens, a roster shakeup in is order. If there is something there, Ryan O’Reilly constitutes the ultimate performer, including winning the 2019 Stanley Cup with the previously mentioned Schenn, and would be an ideal addition. At 32, he is actually having a great season with 38 points through 42 games. His current contract at $4.5M is set to expire after 2026-27 when he will be 36. It is just O’Reilly provides so much that the Sens need in their lineup. He is a 200-foot centre, who still performs at the highest level. He mucks in the corners, is responsible defensively, and is a producer. If the Senators are serious, this is seriously the move to make.
Travis Konecny
Sens fans won’t like to hear it, but a reason they’re not higher in the standings is that they are not good enough. Now, given the talent, yes, we mean perform well enough, but still, this is the NHL, you need to perform. Look at all the great young scorers around the league Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak, the Sens play against these guys all the time. You really do need to be the best of the best. So, what does this have to do with Travis Konecny? They need more guys who can put the puck in the net, and not make excuses. For that purpose, Konecny is your guy.
Yes, the Philadelphia Flyers are relevant again, as they do sit in third in the Metropolitan Division. So, it will be difficult to take away one of their better offensive players via trade. However, once again, maybe it is a swap of pieces that makes sense for both sides. Either way, having a player like Konecny only elevates your team’s offensive output. He currently has 21 goals for 39 points in 42 games. Overall, he has 162 goals through 530 career NHL games. At 5’10” he does play a hard-nosed game. This is the type of player the Sens want. Also, there had been trade rumours over the past few years between the Ottawa Senators and Flyers. Another name that had been mentioned previously, to assist in the Sens goaltending woes, was Carter Hart. Is there a blockbuster brewing here or elsewhere?
Adam Henrique
Adam Henrique is worth mentioning because he plays for a team, the Anaheim Ducks, who are a motivated seller. For the Sens needs, he is a 14-year veteran, and at 33, has a few good years left in the tank. It may surprise people that he is a six-time 20-goal scorer at the NHL level. He is a disciplined player and has a good sense of defensive responsibility having started his career with the New Jersey Devils. Many teams will be interested in pursuing Henrique as the deadline approaches, why not the Sens beat them to the punch before the competition really heats up on the trade market?
Trade Rumours or Not, the Ottawa Senators Need to Perform
It is interesting that Staios made those comments about his players. What does this say about the veterans on the team Claude Giroux, Vladimir Tarasenko, or Travis Hamonic? Or another twist, what about all the players who have fathers who played professionally? Maybe it is complacency that has crept into the Sens locker room. It is clear, the Sens need to be better. They need to be more physical throughout the lineup, and more size up front would help. Along with being physical, whoever they add, needs to be strong skaters, and responsible defensively. That is not too much to ask for when the playoffs are the goal.
Main photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
