Ottawa Senators center Stephen Halliday is attracting attention from other NHL teams, who are showing interest in acquiring the young player. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, these teams aren't necessarily viewing Halliday as a blockbuster acquisition, but rather as a prospect with considerable potential and an evolving role at the NHL level.
The interest in Halliday stems from his impressive track record. Selected 104th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the 23-year-old developed his skills at Ohio State University before transitioning to professional hockey late in the 2023-24 season. In his first full AHL season with the Belleville Senators, Halliday showcased his offensive capabilities, scoring 19 goals and totaling 51 points. This season, he has continued to develop as a playmaker, amassing one goal and 18 assists in 17 AHL games.
Halliday was recently recalled from AHL Belleville. Despite his strong AHL performance, Halliday has had limited opportunities to showcase his abilities in the NHL, playing only a handful of games with Ottawa with minimal ice time. During a previous 10-day stint with the Senators in November, Halliday played in four games, recording one assist and a -1 rating while averaging just over six minutes of ice time.
Several factors contribute to Halliday's appeal to other teams. His size, hockey sense, and versatility make him an attractive asset, particularly for teams seeking to bolster their center depth. He is also young enough to continue developing and improve his game. Halliday is in the final year of his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights. He will also remain waiver-exempt through the 2026-27 season unless he reaches 70 career appearances by then.
Teams lacking depth at the center position or those in rebuilding phases, such as Anaheim, San Jose, or Columbus, might view Halliday as a cost-effective player with the potential to grow alongside their young core. Contending teams, including Colorado, Vegas, or Tampa Bay, could see him as a valuable third-line center or a reliable backup option.
While Halliday's offensive abilities are evident, his defensive game is still developing. In the past, he has been centering the fourth line between Ridly Greig and Nick Cousins. The Senators hope for more offensive contributions from Halliday to compensate for his defensive shortcomings. Though he led Belleville in scoring last year, he also posted a team-worst -20 rating.
Stephen Halliday's future with the Ottawa Senators remains uncertain, but it is clear that his potential has caught the eye of several NHL teams. As the Senators evaluate their roster and consider potential trades, Halliday's name is likely to be a topic of discussion.
