The Ottawa Senators are not currently looking at the goalie market, but at defense and forwards
The Ottawa Citizen’s Bruce Garrioch: The Ottawa Senators do not know when goaltender Linus Ullmark will return from leave, and they will not comment on the situation, according to GM Steve Staois.
Despite that, and with the worst save rate and penalties in the league, Staois has no plans to look at the goalkeeper market at the moment. The Senators don’t have a lot of cap space to work with if they want to test the goalie market, but Staois did say that asking the NHL for special cap relief due to Ullmark’s situation isn’t out of the question.
The Senators have been looking for a right-handed defenseman and some depth up front, but there aren’t many sellers right now. Staois:
“It will be interesting. There has been a lot of dialogue, even leading to the holiday break, but I feel like a lot of teams are in the middle right now and trying to continue evaluating.”
NHL Injuries: Avalanche, Panthers, Maple Leafs and Capitals
The Senators are not interested in trading defensive prospects Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler. Defender Artem Zub has entered into discussions with several teams. He has one year left at $4.6 million and no trade protection. I’m not saying he’ll be traded, but someone to keep an eye on.
Currently, the Senators have to forfeit their first-round pick as punishment for botching a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022. There’s no indication if they’ll get it back or not.
The Calgary Flames have gotten themselves back into the playoff race, but…
Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun: The Calgary Flames’ play early in the season put them on track for a good shot at a top pick in the 2026 NHL draft and the start of a possible rebuild. Through hard work and some wins, they are back in the playoff hunt in the overall weak Western Conference.
The Flames could use a chance at some elite talent that could land at the top of the draft. They have a lot of players who bring intangibles. They need top talent.
Now the Flames are hovering around .500, and there is still time between now and the trade deadline to determine where they will be in the standings. There is the fear of being stuck in the dark, mediocre middle.
Trading defenseman Rasmus Andersson and forward Blake Coleman would help drop the Flames in the standings. The Flames need to get a return for incoming UFA Andersson. He’s on pace for career highs in goals and points, and should give the Flames a number of assets, including a first-round pick.
The Winnipeg Jets aren’t just missing goals
The 34-year-old Coleman still has one year left on his contract and competing teams are looking for players like Coleman.
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