Senators Surge into Contention - Now Come the Trade Deadline Decisions
Just a week ago, the Ottawa Senators were staring down a steep climb toward playoff relevance. On January 30, their postseason odds sat at a modest 29%, per MoneyPuck.com.
Fast forward a few days and that number has jumped to 41.4%-a significant leap that reflects more than just statistical noise. It’s the byproduct of a team that’s suddenly playing its best hockey of the year, with statement wins over the Golden Knights, Avalanche, and Penguins.
This isn’t just a hot streak-it’s a reminder of the team Ottawa was supposed to be all along.
And now, with the Olympic break giving everyone a moment to breathe, the Senators find themselves in a very different position than they were just a couple of weeks ago. Instead of sellers, they’re shaping up to be buyers at the March 6 trade deadline.
With $7.1 million in projected cap space-and over $12 million available by deadline day-Ottawa has the flexibility to make a serious move or two. But as always, cap space is only part of the equation.
If GM Steve Staios wants to bring in real impact talent, he’ll need to part with something of value. And that’s where things get interesting.
Let’s take a look at three names that could be in play as the Senators weigh their options.
Fabian Zetterlund: The Right Fit in the Wrong Spot?
When Ottawa brought in Fabian Zetterlund, the hope was that his speed, motor, and recent 44-point season with the Sharks would translate into top-line chemistry-particularly alongside Tim Stützle. Ten months later, that experiment is all but over.
Zetterlund has the wheels, no doubt, but the fit just hasn’t been there. After several attempts to make it work, he’s now skating on the fourth line with Lars Eller and a rotating mix of rookies and call-ups.
There’s still value in what Zetterlund brings, but at a $4.275 million cap hit, five points in his last 15 games just isn’t cutting it. That kind of salary is tough to justify in a bottom-six role-especially for a team that could use that money to chase a top-four defenseman or a more reliable top-line winger. With Stephen Halliday back from injury and Arthur Kaliyev lighting up the AHL, Ottawa has younger, more cost-effective options ready to contribute.
It’s not an easy call. Zetterlund is only one year into a three-year, $12.83 million deal, and selling low is never ideal.
But if Ottawa is serious about making a push-both now and in the seasons ahead-this might be the window to move on. He’s still close enough to that 24-goal campaign to have some value, and waiting another year could mean getting even less in return.
Logan Hensler: A Premium Chip for a Premium Return
If the Senators are going to make a legitimate postseason run, they need to shore up the blue line. And the name that keeps coming up is Mackenzie Weegar.
The Flames blueliner is a right-shot, Ottawa-born, and signed long-term-a near-perfect fit. But Calgary won’t let him go for peanuts.
We’re talking about a price tag that likely includes a first-round pick and a top prospect.
That’s where Logan Hensler enters the conversation.
The 2025 first-rounder didn’t light it up at the 2026 World Juniors-zero points in five games-but context matters. He was used in a shutdown role for Team USA, a far cry from the more dynamic two-way presence he’s shown at Wisconsin.
Back in the NCAA, he’s already hit 12 points in 23 games, doubling last year’s goal total with time to spare. The offensive tools are there, and his possession metrics remain strong.
Hensler is a legitimate prospect with NHL upside. But he’s also at least a couple of seasons away from making the jump, and even then, there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to contribute in a meaningful way right away.
For a team trying to win now, he’s the kind of piece that can help land a game-changer like Weegar. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the cost of doing business at the top of the market.
Mads Sogaard: Still a Prospect, But Running Out of Time
Goaltending is a sensitive subject in Ottawa, and moving a young netminder might seem counterintuitive. But when it comes to Mads Sogaard, the writing may be on the wall.
The 6-foot-7 Dane has shown flashes of promise since being drafted in the second round back in 2019, but inconsistency and injuries have slowed his development. Now 25 and on an expiring deal, Sogaard hasn’t made the leap the organization hoped for. His .889 save percentage in 18 AHL games this season is a step up from last year, but still well below NHL standards.
That said, there have been bright spots. His recent performance against Vegas-stopping 19 of 20 shots and earning first-star honors-was a reminder of the potential that made him such a highly regarded prospect.
And since returning from the holiday break, he’s posted a .915 SV% in six AHL games. It might not be enough to win back a spot in Ottawa, but it could be just enough to generate interest elsewhere.
There are teams out there with goaltending needs-Vancouver, Toronto, and St. Louis among them-and while Sogaard won’t bring back a massive return, flipping him for a mid-round pick now beats losing him for nothing in the offseason.
Deadline Decisions Loom Large
The Senators have flipped the narrative in a matter of days. They’ve rattled off four straight wins, scoring 19 goals in the process, and suddenly look like a team that could do more than just sneak into the playoffs-they could make some noise once they’re there.
But getting to that next level will require more than just internal momentum. Ottawa has the cap space and the motivation to be active at the deadline. The question is whether they’re willing to part with the right pieces to make it happen.
Whether it’s moving on from a misfit like Zetterlund, cashing in a top prospect like Hensler, or giving Sogaard a fresh start, the Senators have options. And with the East as wide open as it’s been in years, the right move-or two-could make all the difference.