{"id":484288,"date":"2026-03-02T12:12:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T17:12:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=484288"},"modified":"2026-03-02T12:12:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T17:12:56","slug":"nhl-rumours-and-ottawa-senators-trade-deadline-plans-at-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/02\/nhl-rumours-and-ottawa-senators-trade-deadline-plans-at-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours and Ottawa Senators Trade Deadline Plans at Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">Today\u2019s edition of NHL Rumours, we look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/02\/28\/all-canadian-saturday-night-edition-of-nhl-predictions-ottawa-senators-at-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Ottawa Senators,<\/a> and specifically, their forward group. Some of our thoughts are from the guys on the Coming In Hot Podcast, as Sens beat reporter Julian McKenzie of the Athletic stopped in for the pointed chit chat today. We also draw on some of the recent reporting of Senator insider Bruce Garrioch. So, let\u2019s get sensational.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">NHL and Ottawa Senators Rumours On Forward Ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline<\/h2>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wild Week Loading\u2026 Ft. Julian McKenzie - Coming in Hot LIVE - March 2nd\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/13CjEt8aOR8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\"><em>Rumour: The rumour is will the Sens be buyers or sellers, and what would it look like either way.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\"><strong>Analysis: The timing is getting tight. Whatever the Sens do, and their current situation, takes lots of discussion. So, let\u2019s get into it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">The Ottawa Senators enter trade deadline week as a team looking to tinker. They enter the week only five points behind the Boston Bruins for the final <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/02\/28\/ottawa-senators-2025-26-need-themselves-back-stanley-cup-playoff-race\/\" target=\"_self\">Eastern Conference Wild Card Stanley Cup Playoff spot<\/a>. That would suggest that they would be buyers, because they are still in contention. Conversely, if they lose their two games prior to Friday, they might end up as sellers by the deadline. The problem in this uncertainty, is that allows teams with less uncertainty to get the jumpstart on making moves. We have already seen that in some sense as major moves have been made in the NHL this year. Look no further than the <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/panarar01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artemi Panarin<\/a> or <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hughequ01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Quinn Hughes<\/a> trades, as prime examples.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">Given the uncertainty in general manager <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/staiost01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steve Staios<\/a>\u2019 true intentions, it almost makes sense for the Sens to stand pat. Or in other words, our initial thought, they will tinker.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">One way to look at the situation is that the current Sens roster has gotten them where they are. Yes, they are out of the playoffs, but they are close. Furthermore, this is a roster that has been assembled that is very strong analytically. At 5v5, they are basically considered a top team, you know, from an analytic standpoint.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">How the Sens Can Tinker<\/h3>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">One idea is that the Sens want to add a top-six scorer. Well, the age-old adage goes something like, \u201cYes, and who isn\u2019t?\u201d But adding someone who can add offensive efficiency would theoretically bridge that gap between analytics and results. So, there is some metaphorical meat to the bone.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">Moreover, what would the deal even look like? To get a tangible upgrade to the current forward group, they would likely need to move more assets than the GM is comfortable with moving. One player we often hear that is requested is <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/greigri01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ridly Greig<\/a>. That is definitely a player that Staios is not comfortable moving on from.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">It is thought maybe <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zettefa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fabian Zetterlund<\/a> could be used as trade bait. It would be in hopes of him being sold as something of a reclamation project. This would be one option. In contrast, with his lack of production, it would be debatable if he could attract a needle tipper as return.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">In addition, teams would also quite likely want a prospect type of player. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hallist01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Halliday<\/a> is that player from their system. But he is not someone they want to get rid of. He has done very well in Ottawa this year, following his call up. So, not unlike Greig, this is another piece that Staios would be reluctant to lose. In any sense, as you can tell, Ottawa doesn\u2019t have an overabundance of pieces to use.<\/p>\n<h3>Some External Options<\/h3>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">The idea for who to add, would be guys that can score efficiently. A couple of names discussed on Coming In Hot that could potentially fit the bill would be <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eberljo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Eberle<\/a> or <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/debruja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake DeBrusk<\/a>. Therefore, not necessarily big name commodities, but might just tip the needle in a desirable direction. They would also be examples that wouldn\u2019t require a ton of assets in order to acquire.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">However, one counterargument for adding a forward, is that <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/perroda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Perron<\/a> is nearing a return from injury. He would be a great injection to the lineup, rather than needing to trade for one. This idea gives credibility to not being buyers or sellers, specifically.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">One thing that is not disputable is that this trade deadline is almost here. The Sens are limited by their options, unless they are giving up a major piece. However, given how close this group is to success that does seem like something that is unlikely to occur. Hence, as we go along this week, and especially focusing on Ottawa\u2019s forward group, as we did here, don\u2019t expect anything too major from Staios and the Sens.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #faf8ff;\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bruce Garrioch says teams are asking about Ridly Greig, but Steve Staios has no interest in moving him. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoSensGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GoSensGo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Adds that he thinks Ottawa is most serious about MacKenzie Weegar, and they&#39;ve kicked tires on guys like Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EverydaySens\/status\/2027187599501414572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 27, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s edition of NHL Rumours, we look at the Ottawa Senators, and specifically, their forward group. Some of our thoughts are from the guys on the Coming In Hot Podcast, as Sens beat reporter Julian McKenzie of the Athletic stopped in for the pointed chit chat today. We also draw on some of the recent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4222,"featured_media":465206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4547,34,4548,4321],"tags":[8278,1816,6095,4452],"class_list":["post-484288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-senators","category-hockey","category-news","category-nhl","category-rumours","tag-2026-nhl-trade-deadline","tag-fabian-zetterlund","tag-ottawa-senators-rumours","tag-steve-staios"],"modified_by":"Levi Pike, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4222"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=484288"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":484292,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484288\/revisions\/484292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/465206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=484288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=484288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=484288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}