Ottawa Senators Trade Rumors

The Ottawa Senators listed three offseason priorities including a top-six forward to play with Tim Stutzle and a top-four right-handed defenseman to pair with Thomas Chabot.

Senators set clear shopping list

Bruce Garrioch reported that Ottawa needs a top-six forward to skate alongside Tim Stutzle, a top-four right-shot defenseman to complement Thomas Chabot, and a backup goaltender capable of playing 35 games. These three items form the explicit blueprint for general manager Steve Staios before training camp.

The club remains willing to move defenseman Jordan Spence to create cap space and roster flexibility. Forward Fabian Zetterlund carries three years remaining on his contract at an average annual value of 4.275 million dollars and has drawn external interest.

Ottawa’s prospect depth remains limited, with teams regularly inquiring about Carter Yakemchuk even though he is expected to open the season with the NHL club. Re-signed center Stephen Halliday is positioned as a potential fourth-line option.

Forward targets surface quickly

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish represents one of the cleaner fits for the top-six vacancy beside Stutzle. Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk brings five years at 5.5 million dollars per season along with proven power-play production.

St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou carries a full no-movement clause that makes a deal to Ottawa unlikely. The Kraken, Utah Mammoth and Islanders have already registered interest in the pending unrestricted free agent.

Blue-line options include Ristolainen and Murphy

Elliotte Friedman noted that Ottawa expressed prior interest in Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. The Flyers continue to field calls on the 31-year-old while exploring multiple avenues.

Pending unrestricted free agent Connor Murphy also appears on Ottawa’s radar as a potential short-term solution. Informal extension discussions have already taken place with incumbent Artem Zub.

The Senators may elect not to extend a qualifying offer to goaltender Leevi Merilainen, freeing additional roster and cap resources for the backup search.

Extension talks continue with Giroux and Cousins

Ongoing negotiations involve pending unrestricted free agents Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins. Any resolution before July 1 would reduce the number of external additions required.

The combination of Spence and Zetterlund as trade assets could generate the draft capital or prospect return needed to land at least one of the identified targets without surrendering first-round picks.