November 30, 2024 | 10:10pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

SENATORS EVALUATING MAKING MOVES

Josh Norris, forward

It is no secret that the Ottawa Senators are exploring the trade market and looking to make moves to shake up their forward corps, but it doesn’t sound like a move is imminent.

The Senators are 2-5-1 in their last eight games after losing 5-2 to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and sit second-last in the Eastern Conference, ahead of the last-place Montreal Canadiens by two points.

Senators GM Steve Staios has been evaluating the market in hopes of bolstering his lineup at both ends of the ice. The Sens are reportedly searching for a both an offensive power forward and a two-way mid-six forward up front, and a reliable two-way defenceman to play on the right side.

During today’s “Saturday Headlines” segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman reported the Senators are indeed scouring the market, but added a message of caution as Staios may not be close to making a move.

“Ottawa’s been careful, just seeing what’s out there,” Friedman said. “But I don’t get the sense they’re jumping head-first into anything yet.”

The Sens to not have much salary cap space to play with, even with defenceman Artem Zub on LTIR, and any major move they try to make will likely result in someone coming off the roster.

Centre Josh Norris has been brought up in trade speculation lately, though he is no stranger to the rumour mill, even with his injuries limiting his ice time the past two seasons.

Norris, 25, is in the third season of an eight-year, $63.6 million contract and has been pursued by teams like the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers in the past.

It is unclear, however, whom the Senators may be targeting, though it seems trade conversations will carry on as Staios and Sens management look at all of their options before making a move.