NHL Rumors: Senators Have Contacted 4 Teams About Trades

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 , , , ,
Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios talks to the media prior to 2025 game.

With injuries piling up and inconsistency dragging them down the standings, the Ottawa Senators' front office has gone into active search mode. 

According to Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun, Senators general manager Steve Staios continues to comb the trade market for a top-nine forward and an additional defenseman, indicating that internal solutions alone may not be enough. Ottawa remains within striking distance of the playoff race, but the margin for error is shrinking quickly, and patience appears to be wearing thin.

Senators targeting top-nine forward as injuries mount

The Senators’ need up front has become increasingly obvious as key contributors remain sidelined. Shane Pinto’s absence has disrupted the middle of the lineup, while Lars Eller’s injury has further stretched the club’s depth down the middle. 

Garrioch reports that Staios has reached out to several potential sellers, including the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Predators, though the problem is timing. With so many teams still hovering around the playoff picture, asking prices remain steep, and true sellers are content to wait closer to the March 6 deadline to maximize leverage.

One name that continues to surface is Vancouver Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood. The 30-year-old carries an affordable $1.5 million cap hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July, making him a popular target around the league. 

The Senators are far from alone, as the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, and Philadelphia Flyers have all shown interest. That crowded market only strengthens Vancouver’s position, and it’s believed the Canucks are in no rush to move Sherwood while his value keeps climbing.

Senators also exploring defense and bigger contracts

Ottawa’s search doesn’t stop with Sherwood. Garrioch notes that while Conor Garland is not expected to be available, he is a player Senators head coach Travis Green thinks highly of. The issue, however, is Garland’s looming six-year extension that begins next season, carrying a $6 million AAV and a full no-movement clause. 

That type of commitment makes any potential deal extremely complicated. Unless Vancouver is willing to retain salary or move quickly before the clause kicks in, Garland feels more like a long shot than a realistic target.

The Calgary Flames remain another avenue Staios has explored, with Blake Coleman emerging as a possible fit. Coleman brings a heavier style and playoff experience, but his contract runs through 2027 at nearly $5 million per season, adding another layer of complexity. With so many teams still in the hunt, Calgary has little incentive to discount assets prematurely. 

The same dynamic applies to other clubs Ottawa has contacted, including the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators, where useful pieces exist but prices remain inflated.

Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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