Senators GM Steve Staios looking to make more changes with NHL trade deadline looming
“We’re looking at the trade deadline as one opportunity to look at our group and see what might be out there on the market that can supplement our group. Maybe change the dynamic a little bit.”
The talk turned to action for the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.
Staios said the club is looking at every aspect, including goaltending. Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg have struggled to play with consistency.
“Our goaltending, with the right play in front of them, has shown that we have good goaltending,” Staios said. “There’s been some stretches where we’ve played some really good hockey and the inconsistencies is what we’re trying to put a finger on.
“Is it that we’re young? Is it the type of players? We’re looking at all that.”
The name of defenceman Jakob Chychrun has been at the forefront because teams have been calling Ottawa, but that doesn’t mean the club is in a hurry to make a trade.
It’s believed the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are among the teams that have kicked tires on Chychrun.
“We’re getting a lot interest in all of our players. We have good players. At this time of the year, you feel for the players because their names are out there,” Staios said. “But there’s nothing we’re actively doing on Jakob Chychrun. If I was on the other end of the line, I’d certainly be inquiring about a player of that calibre.”
Navigating his first deadline, Staois completed his first trade by sending winger Vladimir Tarasenko to the Florida Panthers for two draft picks Wednesday morning and then continued to work the phones from the club’s hotel in Huntington Beach.
Speaking before the Senators faced the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night at the Honda Center to begin a three-game tour of California, Staios indicated he’s trying to do more to help the club become competitive.
“I’m as active as anybody, I guess,” Staios told TSN 1200’s Gord Wilson on Wednesday. “We’re looking at the trade deadline as one opportunity to look at our group and see what might be out there on the market that can supplement our group. Maybe change the dynamic a little bit.
“So, we’re looking at all of it.”
While the Senators are sellers, they’re also taking a long-term view and want to bring in players who will help. Staios has been forthright that he’s looking for a veteran forward who can help support captain Brady Tkachuk and another defenceman.
That’s difficult because contenders don’t want to give up assets. Those opportunities exist with non-playoff teams.
“You have to look at each player and each contract, and how it fits in with the Ottawa Senators,” Staios said. “If it’s a dynamic that fits, we’ll take somebody on with term and we’re not opposed to getting somebody with no term, giving them a spin and see how they fit with our group.”
