Senators Searching For Upgrades In Questionable Spot

The Ottawa Senators aren't looking to sell at the trade deadline, but rather buy, give themselves a chance at the playoffs as they sit six points out with 25 games to go, and build for success not only this season, but next. That won't be easy and the team will have to be looking at bringing in players with some term, but it can be done, especially if some of the UFAs are used to go the other way.

Bruce Garrioch said, "The Senators have also been searching for help up front. You have to think it would be easier for those answers to come from within."

The Senators are pretty deep up front, especially when David Perron is healthy and in the lineup. There is room for upgrades if someone like Nick Cousins is taken out of the everyday lineup. But in terms of getting more depth, Garrioch is right in the way that there are some talented prospects performing in the AHL and can be called up and inserted in.

The three notable ones are Arthur Kaliyev, Xavier Bourgault, and a permanent spot in the NHL for Stephen Halliday. The latter put up four goals and 11 points in 25 games while playing 8:08 per night. That is excellent production and something the Senators could use on the fourth line coming out of the break. He is a center option and should at least be the fourth line center option moving past this season with Lars Eller becoming a UFA. Halliday also has two goals and 29 points in 28 games for the Bellville Senators, so he's more than ready given his overall season.

Kaliyev has just never been given the opportunity to be anything more than a depth player with a look on the power play because he can really shoot the puck. He won't get that top-6 time in Ottawa, but he could see action on the third line with a little more skill. He can absolutely still score as indicated by his 30 goals and 50 points in 50 AHL games this season. He assisted on one goal in two games for the Senators this season. There's not a huge need for goals, rather stopping goals against, but who's going to complain about extra offense?

Bourgault is turning into the first-round pick that the Edmonton Oilers drafted a few years ago as he's gotten more comfortable in pro hockey. He has 14 goals and 41 points in 51 games this season in the AHL and got his first taste of NHL action in two games this season as well. He would be the third option to come up and contribute in 2026, but he's still there and playing well. If Halliday or Kaliyev come up, Bourgault will get even more impactful minutes in the AHL to shine. Whatever the Senators do, don't expect a step back by the trade deadline.