Senators Going For 'Home Run' Trade

The Ottawa Senators are off to a solid start to the 2025-26 season, tied for second place in the Atlantic Division at the quarter-pole, and they seemingly feel that their time is now. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Senators "are lurking, looking to hit a home run" on the trade market.

How big of a home run? He explained on his 32 Thoughts podcast:

I think they see this as their window now. And I think they would like to add on the blueline and up front with the best that they can get... You just ask around, and Ottawa is a team that is out there—if there's something big available, I think they would like to try.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen has also suggested that it's time for the Senators to make a big splash. After the big extension handed to Shane Pinto last week, "many were left with the feeling that this group is now entering the window of opportunity to be a contender for a Stanley Cup in the next two or three years," writes Garrioch.

Senators feel their time is now, looking for big splash on trade market

What are the "home run" names that could be available at this point in the season? The trade market is seemingly quiet right now, but a perusal of the latest Trade Board from The Athletic suggests names like Alex Tuch, Steven Stamkos and Blake Coleman could be up for grabs for a big swing up front, and Justin Faulk, Erik Karlsson and Mario Ferraro are potential targets on the blueline. Coleman is the one name that Garrioch specifically links as a fit for Ottawa.

The Sens are currently on a big West Coast road trip, which includes games against the much-improved San Jose Sharks, the Los Angeles Kings, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars over the next nine days. They kicked it off with a huge 3-2 win over first-place Anaheim Ducks Thursday night.