Ottawa Senators' Trade Deadline Pursuit: Seeking Right-Shot Defensemen and Potential Trade Targets
The Ottawa Senators are actively searching for a right-shot defenseman as the NHL trade deadline approaches. The pursuit of players like MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames has intensified, but the market is competitive with other teams also seeking defensive upgrades. The Senators are six points out of a playoff spot and have 22 games left to make a push for the postseason.
Several right-shot defensemen, including Tyler Myers, Colton Parayko, and Justin Faulk, have been mentioned as potential trade targets for the Senators. Rasmus Ristolainen, Braden Schneider, Brandon Carlo, Doug Hamilton, and Simon Nemec are also available, but Ottawa is cautious about entering into rental agreements.
The Senators have some players that could be involved in trade discussions, such as Fabian Zetterlund, Stephen Halliday, and Nick Jensen. Zetterlund has struggled to find consistency, Halliday has shown promise in a limited role, and Jensen is an impending free agent who could be moved if the Senators acquire a right-shot defenseman.
While making the playoffs remains a challenge for the Senators, they are considering moving some of their pending unrestricted free agents. Players like Nick Cousins, Claude Giroux, Lars Eller, and David Perron have attracted interest from other teams. Perron is unlikely to be traded due to injury, Giroux has a no-move clause but may consider a move to a contender, Cousins is open to signing with Ottawa, and Eller could be a valuable asset for a playoff-bound team.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Senators are evaluating their options and considering potential moves to strengthen their roster for the remainder of the season. The team's focus is on improving their defensive depth and making strategic decisions to enhance their chances of playoff contention.