Ottawa Senators
· 2026-07-02
The Ottawa Senators have made significant trades, acquiring William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky, which may impact Claude Giroux's role with the team.
The Senators' forward ranks are filling up, and the organization announced a two-year contract with Nick Cousins, carrying an average annual value of $1.875 million.
The team's current standing is 6th in the Eastern Conference with a 44-27 record, on a W1 streak.
Head coach Travis Green helped turn the team into one of the best defensive teams in the league, finishing top-five in important underlying five-on-five metrics.
The Senators' ineffective power play and key injuries to their blue line affected their chances against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Tkachuk trade request forced a pivot, and the trades involving goaltender Samuel Ersson and Andre Burakovsky have left fans questioning the process.
Without a move or two, it is hard to see where there is room for Giroux in the lineup, with possible lines including Eklund-Stützle-Batherson and Greig-Cozens-Burakovsky.
The rush to acquire Burakovsky has raised questions, given his market may not have been robust, and the opportunity cost of acquiring him.
The Senators' season was strong, but the subsequent moves have shaken confidence in the roster's talent and management.
And now, with Claude Giroux testing unrestricted free agency, the temperature in the nation's capital may rise.
But the Senators made out well in the Tkachuk trade, netting a ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and other valuable picks.
So the possibilities for what the Senators could do were exciting, but the outcome has been uncertain.
The organization's measured and diligent nature has been called into question, given the circumstances and lack of leverage in the Tkachuk trade.
The Senators' front office has been well-regarded, but the last few weeks have been a blow, with protected picks and a full no-movement clause affecting the process.