Proposal: Free agency edition Trade Rumours/Proposals - 2025/26 Part II

[HSF]

Whether we defend well because of a team effort, coaching, or because of the D group, the end result is all that matters, and the end result was we were one of the top defensive teams in the league. No team is carrying a bunch of top 4 D as extras, this whole, we're one injury away from xxx applies to every team, and we were resilient enough this past season to manage injuries on the backend, no reason to think we won't be next season.

But none of that is the point, the reality is, as I've shown, we've been addressing the D every single year, so your initial claim that this would be the third season in a row doing nothing is grade A garbage.

Who said to carry extra top 4 D?

I am looking for a solid top 6.

 

[Micklebot]

Who said to carry extra top 4 D?

I am looking for a solid top 6.

We have one, and have been improving it every year.

 

[HSF]

We have one, and have been improving it every year.

Still can improve to championship level

I am not sure what you are arguing? Should we not improve? Our defense got hammered by injuries this year, perhaps we learn and improve?

 

[Micklebot]

Still can improve

and we have been every year, in direct contradiction to what you claimed

I am not sure what you are arguing? Should we not improve? Our defense got hammered by injuries this year, perhaps we learn and improve?

What I called out was the claim we'd been sitting around doing nothing to improve the last two years when you claimed we can't go three consecutive offseasons without addressing the D. I've mentioned this multiple times, so I don't know why you would still be confused about what I am arguing.

The team even stated it's looking to continue improving, nobody suggested we shouldn't, some have suggested other improvements might take priority, but that's not the same as your; strawman nonsense that I'm suggesting we should not improve.

No team is going to survive three of their top 4 getting injured at the same time, there's nothing to learn from that, but as far as dealing with the backend getting hammered by injury, we actually did quite well at dealing with it. The lesson should probably be you can overcome injuries by playing as a team and having a solid system in place, rather than go get more D just in case something incredibly uncommon happens again.

 

[HSF]

How 'bout this for a realignment

Sanderson Spence
Chabot Zub
Kleven Gudas
Mati

Gudas is too old imo

We need to stop adding 36+ year olds cause this team needs to be faster

 

[HSF]

and we have been every year, in direct contradiction to what you claimed

What I called out was the claim we'd been sitting around doing nothing to improve the last two years when you claimed we can't go three consecutive offseasons without addressing the D. I've mentioned this multiple times, so I don't know why you would still be confused about what I am arguing.

The team even stated it's looking to continue improving, nobody suggested we shouldn't, some have suggested other improvements might take priority, but that's not the same as your; strawman nonsense that I'm suggesting we should not improve.

No team is going to survive three of their top 4 getting injured at the same time, there's nothing to learn from that, but as far as dealing with the backend getting hammered by injury, we actually did quite well at dealing with it. The lesson should probably be you can overcome injuries by playing as a team and having a solid system in place, rather than go get more D just in case something incredibly uncommon happens again.

The defense is not complete yet. Staois has been working on it for 2 offseasons. We know its not complete cause almost every sens related rumour is tied back to improving the right side. It has been like that for 2 + years

We have moved out Chychrun and have added Spence. That's what he has to show for the work he has done.

Need to move faster and smarter

 

[Micklebot]

The defense is not complete yet. Staois has been working on it for 2 offseasons. We know its not complete cause almost every sens related rumour is tied back to improving the right side. It has been like that for 2 + years

We have moved out Chychrun and have added Spence. That's what he has to show for the work he has done.

Need to move faster and smarter

What he has to show for what he has done is a team with some of the best defensive metrics in the league.

Moving fast is how you end up with Chychrun playing on his offside and DeBrincat wanting out the moment he arrives. No thanks.

 

[HSF]

What he has to show for what he has done is a team with some of the best defensive metrics in the league.

Moving fast is how you end up with Chychrun playing on his offside and DeBrincat wanting out the moment he arrives. No thanks.

getting Debrincat without asking if he would sign in Ottawa is not moving fast thats just incompetence.

The same could probably be said of Jensen though, no signs pointed that he was going to stick around here

We need to be smart and fast about our moves...like I said

For a guy working on our defense for years now and all he has to show for is Chychrun out and Spence in....well thats not that great

If it is going to take 3 offseasons to fix an aspect of the team then we got issues

 

[Micklebot]

getting Debrincat without asking if he would sign in Ottawa is not moving fast thats just incompetence.

The same could probably be said of Jensen though, no signs pointed that he was going to stick around here

We need to be smart and fast about our moves...like I said

For a guy working on our defense for years now and all he has to show for is Chychrun out and Spence in....well thats not that great

If it is going to take 3 offseasons to fix an aspect of the team then we got issues

We didn't acquire Jensen to be a long term core piece, we acquired him to fill in the D for a couple years and evaluate from there when cap space opened up and players developed

Again, what he has to show is one of the best defensive teams in the league. you seem to think the goal is acquiring a bunch of names, it's not. The goal is to build a group that provides the desired results on the ice. We had some of the best defensive metrics in the league, and were top 10 in scoring from the back end. That was accomplished in spite of significant injuries to our top two scoring D in Chabot and Sanderson.

This narrative that Staios hasn't done anything, or has nothing to show for what he's done just doesn't hold water.

 

[Micklebot]

And the main reason for being a bubble team was the goaltending. I'm almost positive that Staios will address that this summer.

Already brought in help for the goalie coaching crew, which should help Ullmark, even aside from that it's unlikely he'll have another start as bad as last year, and as you said we likely add a vet backup, or at least more depth so that if Merilainen struggles again, there's a backup plan.

 

[Duncstar]

I looked at the salaries we would pay our 22 man roster (including MacDermid) using current contract numbers plus AFP Analytics projections for Giroux, Cousins and Spence (longer term). After that we would have cap space of about $8.3M.

Merillainen is projected to get about $1,050,000 as a backup goaltender. A vet goaltender might require another $1M on top of that, so $2M if we go that route. That would leave only $6.3M.

If we acquire a top 4 Defenseman, it would cost at least about $6M.

If we acquire a top 6 forward it would cost at least about $7M.

We would also need to set some cap dollars aside for injury call-ups.

We would need to trade a defenseman or a forward on the current roster (or not sign Giroux, Cousins or Spence) if we were to acquire a top 4 D or a top 6 F. We cannot afford BOTH a top 4 D and a top 6 F.

Ah good should have read more posts. He gets it

getting Debrincat without asking if he would sign in Ottawa is not moving fast thats just incompetence.

The same could probably be said of Jensen though, no signs pointed that he was going to stick around here

We need to be smart and fast about our moves...like I said

For a guy working on our defense for years now and all he has to show for is Chychrun out and Spence in....well thats not that great

If it is going to take 3 offseasons to fix an aspect of the team then we got issues

Dude no one wanted to f***ing play here, its pretty freaking obvious and Jensen did great pre injuries. Your narrative is old and wrong.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I'm about as big a Chabot fan as there is, and I think this idea is severely complicated by a) Giroux's impending retirement and b) the possibility/likelihood of Tkachuk moving on in the next two years, but, with all the talk of Spence moving for a 'heavier' RHD to accommodate Chabot...

What about Chabot moving for a heavier LHD to accommodate Spence?

Chabot's cap hit also somewhat complicates matters, but I think he would have a relatively large market in spite of his $, and have relatively high value, especially if we are taking back a high-salaried player, which is actually a byproduct of what we would want (i.e. a veteran LHD).

I don't have anyone specific in mind, but it's a thought that I had. Again, I love Chabot and I'm not necessarily advocating it, but I think you need to look at every single angle, and this is definitely an angle.

 

[stempniaksen]

I'm about as big a Chabot fan as there is, and I think this idea is severely complicated by a) Giroux's impending retirement and b) the possibility/likelihood of Tkachuk moving on in the next two years, but, with all the talk of Spence moving for a 'heavier' RHD to accommodate Chabot...

What about Chabot moving for a heavier LHD to accommodate Spence?

Chabot's cap hit also somewhat complicates matters, but I think he would have a relatively large market in spite of his $, and have relatively high value, especially if we are taking back a high-salaried player, which is actually a byproduct of what we would want (i.e. a veteran LHD).

I don't have anyone specific in mind, but it's a thought that I had. Again, I love Chabot and I'm not necessarily advocating it, but I think you need to look at every single angle, and this is definitely an angle.

He was such a big part of the teams 5 on 5 offence last year that it's hard to imagine the team finding a way to get better without him. I also think that while he has value league wide that it wouldn't necesarily be sky high and because my first point might simply be more valuable to this team than in trade.

I certainly get the logic though, because what Kleven/Spence showed to end last year is more than capacle as a 2nd pairing and using whatever value + cap savings we get out of a Chabot trade towards a forward would go further than Spence/Matinpalo/Hensler/ect.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Gudas is too old imo

We need to stop adding 36+ year olds cause this team needs to be faster

The age is a risk . On the bottom pair with Kleven It would be a large very physical bottom pair. Gudas would come relatively cheap like 2.5 to 3AAV
Gudas would provide added protection

I am not really pounding the drum for him but there are some positives to take away as well.

I think it would be an interesting set of D.

The one major concern I would have is term on Gudas .,., it would have to be kept to no more than 2 years

Here is what Google AI said .. I was interested so looked it up when you objected

This proposed top-six blueprint solves Ottawa's exact structural problems by perfectly balancing high-end puck-moving skill with heavy, playoff-style defense. [1, 2]
By sliding Jordan Spence up and pairing him with Jake Sanderson, while locking down Thomas Chabot with Artem Zub, Ottawa constructs a highly versatile and incredibly deep blue line. [1, 2]
An analytical and stylistic breakdown shows why this specific configuration functions so efficiently:

The Complete Pairings Blueprint

1. Jake Sanderson & Jordan Spence (The Elite Transition Pair)

• The Dynamic: This pairing is an analytical powerhouse. In their limited time together, Sanderson and Spence have graded out as Ottawa's most effective duo in controlling expected goals. [1]
• The Impact: Both are modern, exceptional skaters who can completely neutralize an opposing team's forecheck via elite breakout passes and transition play. This acts as the definitive top pairing. [1, 2]

2. Thomas Chabot & Artem Zub (The Stabilized Second Pair)

• The Dynamic: Chabot plays his best hockey when partnered with a hyper-reliable, stay-at-home safety net.
• The Impact: Zub’s elite positional defense allows Chabot the freedom to aggressively join the rush and pinch down the boards without leaving the back door wide open. It creates a highly trustworthy, heavy-minute second unit. [1, 2, 3]

3. Tyler Kleven & Radko Gudas (The "No-Fly Zone" Identity Pair)

• The Dynamic: This third pair would instantly become the most terrifying, punishing bottom duo in the NHL.
• The Impact: Kleven (6'4", 214 lbs) is already developing a reputation as an exceptionally physical, low-risk defender. Pairing him with Gudas creates an incredibly hostile environment for opposing forwards trying to enter Ottawa's zone or stand in front of the crease. It gives the Senators the exact "bigger and harder to play against" identity that general manager Steve Staios is aggressively hunting for. [1, 2, 3, 4]

 

[Hale The Villain]

Sounds like the Ducks are letting all of their veteran RD walk - Carlson, Gudas and even Trouba.

Feel like there's a very good chance Parayko or Ristolainen get traded there in a deal involving McTavish, since both the Blues and Flyers are desperate for a solution at center.

 

[OttawaSenators11]

I love Gudas nastiness can’t imagine him costing much ?

My guess is he re-signs with ANA.

They have tons of cap space no way they strikeout out on all of Carlson, Trouba and Gudas you’d think

 

[OttawaSenators11]

Sounds like the Ducks are letting all of their veteran RD walk - Carlson, Gudas and even Trouba.

Feel like there's a very good chance Parayko or Ristolainen get traded there in a deal involving McTavish, since both the Blues and Flyers are desperate for a solution at center.

I read Parayko wants to be out west if traded so ANA definitely makes some sense for them.

 

[commentsense]

Sounds like the Ducks are letting all of their veteran RD walk - Carlson, Gudas and even Trouba.

Feel like there's a very good chance Parayko or Ristolainen get traded there in a deal involving McTavish, since both the Blues and Flyers are desperate for a solution at center.

This, or they prioritize getting younger players who can grow with the core as Trouba, Gudas, Killorn, etc age out.

 

[Hale The Villain]

I read Parayko wants to be out west if traded so ANA definitely makes some sense for them.

There was a rumour that he wanted to go to Anaheim after rejecting Buffalo.

Which is why it was so dumbfounding that Verbeek opted to trade a mid-1st for Carlson.

 

[commentsense]

There was a rumour that he wanted to go to Anaheim after rejecting Buffalo.

Which is why it was so dumbfounding that Verbeek opted to trade a mid-1st for Carlson.

If Buffalo offered Mrtka + 1st, St. Louis probably would have asked for McQueen + 1st.

I don't think seeing if Carlson would really enjoy the SoCal sunshine was a terrible bet to keep McQueen.

St. Louis is an interesting case. All this smoke about their top guys (Parayko, Thomas, Kyrou), but based on what insiders have said, the prices are exorbitant and the Blues have put them on the market, then taken them off, then put them on again.

I could see other GMs being tired of dealing with Armstrong. Either shit or get off the pot, and sorry, we're not trading you our best two prospects and a 1st for a one way winger who scored 18 goals last year and was a healthy scratch.

 

[Micklebot]

Is NJ still trying to clear out Hamilton, he'd be a decent target if they are, but I suppose that might have just been a move to clear space for Hughes which is no longer needed.

 

[commentsense]

Is NJ still trying to clear out Hamilton, he'd be a decent target if they are, but I suppose that might have just been a move to clear space for Hughes which is no longer needed.

We'd probably be interested considering his profile and actual money owed, but I don't know if he'd accept a trade to a team where he may be the 3rd PP option.

 

[Micklebot]

We'd probably be interested considering his profile and actual money owed, but I don't know if he'd accept a trade to a team where he may be the 3rd PP option.

Yeah, we probably aren't on his ten team list, but personality wise, he's probably the type that would be happy in Ottawa.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

We'd probably be interested considering his profile and actual money owed, but I don't know if he'd accept a trade to a team where he may be the 3rd PP option.

Would he be behind Chabot? Idk. Dougie is pretty good on the PP.

He definitely wouldn't be PP1, which he may not love.

 

[HSF]

We'd probably be interested considering his profile and actual money owed, but I don't know if he'd accept a trade to a team where he may be the 3rd PP option.

Hamilton should be above chabby. If that what it takes to get him you do it

Hamilton beside sandy would be nasty and less cash is right up what Ottawa would do

I’m not sure if NJ will move him now with Nemec being on the block