December 17, 2024 | 2:56pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
SENS LOOKING FOR TOP-4 DEFENCEMAN, SCORING WINGER
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Sens Head Coach Travis Green
The Ottawa Senators have won three straight and seven of their last 10 games, propelling them into the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference – a position they believed they’d be in the mix for since the puck dropped on the 2024-25 campaign.
With the team finally clicking and buying into Head Coach Travis Green’s system, management is expected to look to bolster the team’s roster later in the season.
Speculation has already swirled around potential moves the Senators could make this season, with centre Josh Norris being among the players floating around the rumour mill, but GM Steve Staios is more inclined to add this season as opposed to swapping out talent.
During Tuesday’s edition of “The Latest” on TFP, David Pagnotta reported the Senators want to add at both ends of the ice, with the blueline seemingly a priority to strengthen this season.
“If they could keep this momentum going, they’re going to potentially push even further. Yes, as you mentioned, Kate, Staios would like to address a couple areas on his team,” Pagnotta said. “The defence, without question. If they could bring in somebody that has more of a stay-at-home, physical, defensive prowess kind of mentality, that’s what they would like to bring in Ottawa. They need somebody to kind of shut down and stabilize things on that backend. And if he could fit the top-four, that’s perfect for what they’re looking for.
“In addition to that, they need another winger. They would like to bring in another offensive scoring winger at some point this season. They’ve got a little bit of cap space to play with. Anything big would likely result in somebody coming out of the lineup. But Ottawa is looking at both ends.”
With the holiday roster freeze set to kick in Dec. 20 at midnight local time (per market), running until 12:01am (local time) on Dec. 28, a major move in Ottawa is more likely to take place in the New Year, presumably closer to the trade deadline.
“They’re not pressing to make a deal now,” Pagnotta said, “but if something falls into their lap later on, after the calendar year, perhaps after 4 Nations, it looks like that’s something that Staios would like to do.”