The Ottawa Senators, currently holding a comfortable playoff spot, are looking to solidify their roster to become true Stanley Cup contenders. While the team boasts a talented core, including Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto, they need one more impactful forward to elevate their scoring depth and overall competitiveness.
Assessing the Forward Corps
The Senators' top-end talent is undeniable, but it hasn't consistently translated into elite-level production. Tim Stutzle, perhaps the closest to that status, was ranked 54th in the league in points as of December 3rd. While Ridly Greig is emerging as a legitimate NHL center, he experiences periods of inconsistency. Fabian Zetterlund has shown flashes of potential, but the team needs more reliable scoring depth throughout the lineup.
The Senators' scoring is heavily reliant on their top players. As of December 3rd, Stutzle, Batherson, Pinto, Cozens, and Claude Giroux accounted for a significant portion of the team's total points. The remaining forwards contribute far fewer points, making the team's offense too predictable. Opponents can focus on shutting down the top six, knowing the bottom lines are less likely to generate significant offense. This top-heavy scoring limits the team's ability to compete with teams that have scoring threats on all four lines.
Potential Trade Targets
To address this need, the Senators are reportedly seeking a "home run" trade to acquire a top-six winger. Several potential targets have emerged, each with their own strengths and potential challenges.
- Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars): A young, elite goal scorer who would instantly transform the top six. However, his contract is expiring and would command a significant raise.
- Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators): A playoff-tested veteran and natural leader whose playing style and contract could be a good fit for Ottawa.
- Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis Blues): A Stanley Cup champion with the potential to play exceptionally well alongside Stutzle. He has faced healthy scratches in the past, potentially making him available.
- Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes): A player with 50-goal upside if paired with the right linemates and system.
- Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks): An option who could have fantastic chemistry alongside a player like Tim Stutzle.
- Alex Tuch (Buffalo Sabres): He would bring size and physicality.
The Impact of an Additional Top Forward
Acquiring a proven top-six winger would stabilize the forward core, balance the offensive load, and relieve pressure on the team's star players. It would give Ottawa the kind of matchup-proof top six that true contenders possess.
With the current roster, the Senators have approximately $2.9 million in projected cap space. This provides some flexibility to make a move, but a significant addition would likely require some salary shedding or creative maneuvering.
The Senators have a solid foundation with key players locked into contracts for years to come. With a defense that is respectable and improving goaltending, the addition of one impact forward could be the missing piece that transforms the Ottawa Senators into a legitimate contender.
