NHL Rumors: Senators' GM Reveals the Team's Offseason Plans

Monday, March 16, 2026
Ottawa Senators players celebrate goal during 2026 game.

However the rest of the season shakes out for the Ottawa Senators, the team looks to be heading toward an important offseason, and general manager Steve Staios has already identified where the roster might need help. 

Speaking during a recent interview with TSN’s Claire Hanna, Staios made it clear that strengthening the blue line will be a major focus once the season wraps up, even though the organization still believes in the core group currently in place.

Steve Staios Says Senators Want to Improve Defense

Staios explained that the Senators approached the recent trade deadline as buyers, believing their team was still firmly “in it” when it came to the playoff race. 

Ottawa added Warren Foegele while moving out David Perron, but that was all they did. 

Still, the front office explored a number of other options, particularly on defense, but ultimately nothing significant materialized before the deadline.

That search is expected to continue this summer. 

Staios said that upgrading the defensive group is likely the club’s top offseason objective, saying the team will keep looking at ways to improve that area. 

Ottawa’s blue line already features pieces like Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and Artem Zub, but the organization could look to add another experienced defender to strengthen the group, especially on the right side.

Senators Defensive Structure Already Showing Results

Despite the desire to add help, the Senators’ defensive play has quietly been one of the strongest aspects of their season, especially recently.

Since late January, Ottawa has ranked first in the NHL in shots allowed per game (20.9), first in scoring chances against (21.3), and first in goals against per game (2.2). 

That structure has helped the team remain competitive even while dealing with injuries to players such as Sanderson and Nick Jensen.

Head coach Travis Green has emphasized a full 200-foot commitment from the roster, and the approach has really begun to pay off during the stretch run. 

Ottawa has also seen improvement on the penalty kill, which climbed to an 81.8 percent success rate after assistant coach Mike Yeo took over responsibility earlier in the season.

Even with the defensive numbers trending upward, Staios appears open to making another move if the right opportunity arises. 

Whether that means pursuing a veteran blueliner or relying on internal growth from prospects like Carter Yakemchuk, the Senators’ offseason strategy looks like it will be about finding one more piece to strengthen their defense.

Photo Credit: Keito Newman-Imagn Images

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