February 24, 2024 | 2:35pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
SENATORS OPEN TO MAKING MULTIPLE MOVES
Jakob Chychrun, defenceman
The Ottawa Senators sit second-last in the Eastern Conference and with their playoffs hopes all but over, GM Steve Staios is open to making multiple moves ahead of the trade deadline to retool for next season.
Senators forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik are playing in the final year of their respective contracts and are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents July 1.
Both players are in play and Staios is looking to move them both. According to the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, “the belief is at least four or five teams have expressed some form of interest in bringing (Tarasenko) to help with a run in the playoffs.”
Senators defenceman Jakob Chychrun has also been the subject of trade talk since January and Ottawa is still believed to be open to moving him in the right deal. He has one more year left on his contract after this season, with teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals having previously expressed interest.
As TFP’s David Pagnotta reported this week, teams have also been calling the Senators and inquiring about centre Josh Norris, who has six more years left on his contract. While Staios is not shopping or looking to move Norris, he is willing to listen.
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is open to the idea of his team adding pieces for next season and beyond, if the right moves fall into place.
“Absolutely, I think whenever you can add to the group and, of course, for me that would be huge just to have another voice and stuff like that,” Tkachuk told the Sun. “Whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, all I can control is my work, practice, games and make sure I’m ready to go when the puck drops.”