Ottawa Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios spoke with the media this morning to discuss a multitude of issues and concerns surrounding the franchise. In the mid-season update, Staios told the media that he has had a lot of discussions with other teams about potential trades and is looking to add players with leadership experience as well as complete 200-foot players.
The news isn’t that surprising given that the Senators don’t possess many players who have been part of a winning culture in the NHL. Outside of a couple of players, most of the Senators currently lineup have never played an NHL playoff game.
Staios’ desire to add complete players is also not surprising given that Ottawa has struggled to play a structured game over the past few seasons. While the offensive skill on the Senators is obvious, they don’t have a lot of defensively skilled forwards or defensemen and it’s been a glaring hole throughout their lineup for a few years now.
Staios mentioned that he would like to be active before the deadline but given most teams cap situation it is unlikely that the Senators will make many moves before the summer.
In other Ottawa notes:
- Staios added that the Senators’ plan behind the bench is to have interim head coach Jacques Martin finish out the season. Martin hasn’t had a great start to his second run in Ottawa but did receive praise from Staios who said that Martin has laid a foundation for this group. Martin who has long been a good defensive coach, was seemingly brought into Ottawa to help the team find a defensive identity going forward. While the team didn’t see immediate improvement, they have shown signs of it lately with points in five of their last six games.
- Staios also addressed the status of pending unrestricted free agent forward Vladimir Tarasenko. Staios said that he has not talked to the 32-year-old about a move, but he has been impressed with the former Stanley Cup winner. Tarasenko was signed last summer to a one-year $5MM contract and has been as advertised with 12 goals and 19 assists in 41 games. While he is no longer a perennial 30-goal scorer, he is still providing offense at five-on-five and is on pace for 24 goals.
Perhaps Chabot is the player to move on from, And then possibly Norris, Two players that could certainly bring interest and two guys that could get the Sens the goaltending they so sorely need. These are two Senators that are truly gifted but can’t stay healthy, Chabot especially.
Why trade for a goalie? They had Talbot, Murray, now Korpisalo…all not playing up to their abilities due to team in front of them.
Korpisalo isn’t good.
I don’t think you are listing the Kings of the crease there. likely the d had a role in them all looking below avg, but at best they are all probably avg
Talbot is as inconsistent as they come, Matt Murray hasn’t been good since his cups in pitty and Korpisalo was good only in the playoffs last year. They NEED a goalie and have made poor decisions in signing but Wilf is right get a damn goalie. They have so much talent up front and on the backend they gotta just put it together and they need goaltending.
Blues got a couple young goalies in their system and no place for them. Might be a good trade partner