Ottawa Senators fans should keep an eye out for potential moves in the run-up to the 2026 NHL Draft. The annual selection of future stars is an unofficial deadline for teams looking to make moves ahead of next season.
There are a couple of practical implications of what that is. First, contracts expire on June 30. So, teams looking to get something back for impending UFAs could use the yearly confab to finalize deals with teams looking to secure a coveted free agent.
Second, the draft allows GMs to talk to one another and potentially discuss trades. While this year’s draft remains of the decentralized persuasion, teams can, nonetheless, speak with one another.
That said, the Senators could be one of those teams active in trade talks. The prevailing chatter suggests that the Sens will be looking to upgrade the blue line while also adding some more punch to the lineup.
Then, there’s the matter of a backup netminder. With Linus Ullmark firmly entrenched as the starter, the need for a solid goalie does not go beyond a good backup.
Of course, there’s always the need for more depth and positional insurance. Added to that a thin free-agent market, and the Senators could be an active team in the coming days.
Senators can’t afford to stand pat this offseason
The Senators are one of the teams this offseason that can’t afford to just sit on their hands. The cost of doing nothing could be enormous, compared to what division rivals might be up to. For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off the trade season with a significant move. The Colorado Avalanche also pulled off a significant deal of their own, with the Buffalo Sabres moving up in the draft.
Those moves will be naught more than the tip of the iceberg. Other teams like the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers will all be looking to load up. The biggest deal, however, could come from another division rival, the Detroit Red Wings. They have Dylan Larkin burning a hole in their pockets. And so, that trade should be the one that makes or breaks the entire offseason.
All told, the Senators can’t allow other division rivals to pass them. The Sabres, Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens will be the teams to beat next season. Plus, a revamped Toronto squad, a solid Bruins team, and, well, the Red Wings, could all make life just a little but rough for Ottawa.
The coming days should be very interesting for Senators fans. So, stay tuned.
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