Senators Rumors: Ottawa Looking For Help On Defense

2 weeks ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

The Ottawa Senators are intensifying their search for a top-four defenseman following the long-term loss of Artem Zub, who will miss 8-12 weeks with a broken foot, according to Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun. General Manager Steve Staios had already been exploring the market for blue-line depth, but Zub’s injury has made acquiring a reliable defenseman a top priority. As one league executive observed, “Everybody is looking for defensemen, and there aren’t many available,” speaking on the competitive nature of the current market.Sidney Crosby typically hosts a Thanksgiving meal at his house for teammates who don't have plans or family in town, which Marcus Pettersson appreciates so much. He said Sid is a good and gracious host, welcomes everyone with open arms, and "you can stay however long you want."— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 28, 2024 Potential trade targets include Anaheim’s Cam Fowler, Pittsburgh’s Marcus Pettersson, and Chicago’s Seth Jones, though each option presents challenges. Fowler, an experienced top-four defenseman with a $6.5 million cap hit through 2025-26, is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury and may be hesitant to move to another rebuilding team. Pettersson, with a more affordable $4.025 million cap hit, is viewed as an ideal short-term solution, particularly given Senators assistant GM Ryan Bowness’ familiarity with the Penguins. Meanwhile, Jones, carrying a $9.5 million annual cap hit and a full no-movement clause, is considered an unlikely candidate due to the significant financial commitment required.Seth Jones’ first goal of the season is an OT game-winner 🚨🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/LtU8GmSLE8— Four Feathers Podcast (@FourFeathersPod) January 20, 2024 If a trade proves unfeasible, the Senators may turn to internal options like Belleville defensemen Nikolas Mantinpalo or Maxence Guenette, though their inexperience raises questions about their readiness for top-four minutes. Other rumored targets include Montreal’s Jayden Struble or Columbus prospect David Jiricek, but neither is considered an immediate solution.Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images...

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