The Senators find themselves in a predicament. One of which the good folks of Ottawa haven’t found in a decade.
Fans know, the month of November has historically been a nightmare for the Sens. This is the first time since the 2016-17 season that they’ve finished the month with an over .500 record, going 6-2-3. They wrapped up a grueling 7-game road trip with a 4-3 record against teams that were either in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, or are currently in a playoff spot, including the finale against Montreal, a 5-2 win.
However, the Sens now find themselves needing a spark. After 28 games, while they are still technically above .500 because of the overtime losses, that equates to second to last, tied with the 2 time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, who are going through a substantial injury riddled road to start their quest for a three peat. And after locking up Long Island’s favorite son, Shane Pinto, to a 4-year, $30-million deal, the window for higher expectations has opened.
You absolutely need to take advantage right now. While you’re only 5 points back of the Atlantic Division leading Detroit Red Wings, the Brady Tkachuk extension looms large on the minds of the Sens army fans. Even though he has said multiple times that he loves it in Ottawa, what happens if the Sens take a step back? Does that give him any doubts on his future?
I don’t believe so, but it is a possibility.
What would an offer look like to Vancouver?
Needless to say, as I much as I would like the Canucks to accept the old reliable Future Considerations, something tells me they would not accept this offer. In going back in forth with Rob Tamma, the site expert for The Canuck Way, we agreed upon this offer:
To Vancouver: Thomas Chabot, Ridly Greig, Logan Hensler, Stephan Halliday, ’25 second and ’26 first round picks
To Ottawa: Quinn Hughes, ’25 4th round pick
First, let me just say the obvious: You don’t do this trade without having at least a 95% chance of resigning him come June. This is a kings ransom, but Quinn Hughes is a king.
With the emergence of Jake Sanderson, you have to wonder what the future holds for Chab dad. Chabot is the longest active Senator on the roster and has his contract running through the 2027-28 season. Chabot is an exceptional leader that can excel in a situation like Vancouver, who might possibly end up as a captain should this trade happen.
Ridly Greig is in a bit of a log jam. He absolutely has the skills to be a 2nd/3rd line center, and has done so in the past. That being said, his role has not been the same since the addition of Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterland. The Canucks are hurting for Centers, so this would be an ideal position for both parties.
Stephen Halliday was the toughest player for me to include. Halliday was Belleville’s best player last year, and since joining the club, has been EXCEPTIONAL on the 3rd and 4th line, with 2 assists and only a +/- of -2. Considering he is only 23 and forwards are normally historical at having negative points on the +/-, this is a fantastic sign for Travis Green & Co. With that being said, this to me is the standout needed to separate the Sens from Hughes hopefuls to contenders.
Logan Hensler, last year’s first round pick. Hensler has had an excellent start to the year at Wisconsin, potting 3 goals, 4 assists, and a +/- of +2. Hensler is on the preliminary roster for the American World Junior team in Minnesota and has shown glimpses of greatness this season for the Badgers. With that being said, the Sens are stacked with right shot defenders with Artem Zub, Nick Jensen, Jordan Spence, Nikolas Matinpalo, and Carter Yakemchuk coming up the pipeline. I don’t foresee Hensler beating out 3 out of the 5 right shots for a good while.
Why should the Canucks take this deal?
This deal is beneficial both short term and long term for the Canucks. Chabot, Greig, and Halliday can plug into their lineup right now, giving them extra hope to jump back into the playoff hunt in the west.
But with Hensler and the draft picks, they can easily package these up together to make a push for more forwards. With their right side already being locked up with Hronek, Myers, and Willander, positionally they don’t necessarily need another right shot defensemen.
But having a top right shot prospects as well as draft capital, they can absolutely be aggressive on the market to fill out their lineup with forwards. The canucks can also use said picks to get bad contracts off the team. Yes, I’m looking at you, forward Elias Pettersson.
Do I think this will happen?
Honestly, I’d be a little surprised if this happens.
There are whispers around the league that Steve Staios is big fish hunting, but this is going to Southern part of the gulf fishing for Bonita.
With that being said, it behooves the Sens to make a call and talk with each other about making this happen. In following hockey for over 25 years, it is pretty freaking rare that you get an opportunity to trade for a generational talent in the prime of his career.