Senators Going Into Trade Deadline As Buyers

The Ottawa Senators have not had the season they had hoped and goaltending/team defense has not been up to par, but they aren't out of it just yet and could make a push.

Bruce Garrioch said, "Staios wants to be a buyer. If the Senators get strong goaltending down the stretch, then there is little doubt that they can make a push. Selling off assets for draft picks doesn't make sense for this group."

The 20 game injury to Brady Tkachuk didn't help the team, but they made it through and are six points back of a playoff spot. Goaltending has also been horrible this season and nothing close to the level it was last season when the team made the playoffs.

The Senators are absolutely good enough and have strong depth up front, but have still been linked to some players and could get better if players with term are available and able to be acquired. There are a handful of players on the last year of their deals that could be traded for assets, but some may be re-signed and others could be used to upgrade in their roles, such as using Nick Jenson in a trade for Mackenzie Weegar, who Ottawa is linked to.

Players like Claude Giroux, David Perron, Jensen, Nick Cousins, Lars Eller, and James Reimer are all UFAs after the season, and most have some value. But as the team is within striking distance and goaltending could improve coming out of the break, selling those pieces would essentially show management has given up on the team that has scored a lot this season and has just been sunk by lots of goals against as well.

I don't think the Senators are going to be looking at rentals, but even players with another year left on their deals should be ideal targets for a team hoping to stay in it this season, prepare for next season and have more of their roster set, and come back stronger next season.