With the excitement of the 2026 men's Olympic hockey tournament in full swing, it's easy to overlook the NHL trade deadline that's sneaking up on us. The Ottawa Senators are facing some tough decisions as the March 6 deadline approaches.
If the Senators decide to hit the trade market, enhancing the right side of their blue line is a priority. However, any deal needs to make sense for a team sitting six points and three teams away from a playoff spot with 25 games left in the season.
If no trades materialize, the Senators have intriguing options in the minors. Two former first-round picks, both adept with the puck, are waiting for their chance. Carter Yakemchuk, a 2024 first-rounder, is the obvious choice, but Lassi Thomson is garnering attention again.
Since Campbell took over as head coach in December, he and his staff have tweaked strategies to involve the defense more actively in the game. While Campbell hasn't explicitly stated it, it seems like a move to aid Yakemchuk's development. Thomson, however, has also thrived under this new system.
"Lassi's pace and skating have really benefitted," Campbell noted. "He's probably one of the best skaters in the league and has been driving our offense from the back. He's leading the league in goals for defensemen-impressive stuff."
Back in 2024, before Yakemchuk was drafted, Thomson left Ottawa to play in Sweden, where he led Malmo in points for the 2024-25 season. During his absence, the Sens needed a right-shot call-up. With Travis Hamonic nearing retirement, Belleville's Nikolas Matinpalo stepped up, playing half the season and all of Ottawa's playoff games.
Thomson re-signed with the Sens last summer, likely seeing a real NHL opportunity. With Hamonic not being extended, Nick Jensen recovering from major hip surgery, and Yakemchuk still developing, Thomson probably felt he could compete with Matinpalo, his former Belleville teammate.
However, shortly after Thomson signed, the Senators acquired defenseman Jordan Spence in a draft day deal with the LA Kings. Spence and Matinpalo both made the NHL roster, and Jensen was activated for opening night.
Thomson found himself on waivers again, spending another year in Belleville. But he's in a positive mindset, already surpassing his previous season's goals and points totals. His big role in Sweden last season undoubtedly contributed to his current success.
"I gained a lot of confidence last year," Thomson shared with the BSens Entertainment Network. "I'm building on that and reminding myself why I was drafted here."
Although Thomson wasn't drafted under Steve Staios' management, Staios valued him enough to bring him back. It was Pierre Dorion and his team who picked the former Kelowna Rockets star 19th overall in 2019. Six months later, Thomson captained Team Finland at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Thomson chose to leave Kelowna that season, returning to his hometown team in Tampere, Finland. Whether it was homesickness or a desire to develop by playing in a men's league, it didn't seem to have the intended effect.
When Thomson left the Sens organization as an RFA in 2024, he had played just 18 games for Ottawa. He had a rough season, being waived by the Senators, claimed by Anaheim, then waived again and reclaimed by Ottawa, spending the entire 2023-24 season in Belleville without a call-up.
Max Guenette got a call-up for seven games that season.
This wasn't great for Thomson's confidence or his sense of value to the organization. But now, at 25, he seems to be finding his stride.
As a Group 6 UFA this summer, Thomson might be eyeing a fresh start with another NHL team. However, if the circumstances align, it could be worth giving him one last NHL look, depending on what unfolds at the deadline and down the stretch.