Senators Facing a Crucial Stretch as Trade Deadline Looms
The Ottawa Senators are staring down a pivotal stretch in their season - and the clock is ticking. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the next seven to 10 games will determine whether Ottawa leans into the playoff race or starts looking toward the future. That decision isn’t just about wins and losses - it’s about how first-year general manager Steve Staios sets the tone for his tenure.
And make no mistake: this is more than just another midseason checkpoint. It’s the first real fork in the road for a franchise that’s been stuck in neutral for too long.
A Familiar Frustration in Ottawa
For Senators fans, this moment feels all too familiar. Once again, the team finds itself hovering in that frustrating middle ground - not quite out of the playoff picture, but not doing enough to inspire full confidence either. The wild-card race is within reach, but inconsistency has made it tough to tell whether this group is ready to make a real push.
Injuries have played a role, as has uneven goaltending and shaky defensive play. But the bigger issue may be identity.
There are nights when Ottawa flashes the kind of speed and skill that can give any team fits. And then there are nights when it’s hard to see where the offense is supposed to come from.
That kind of unpredictability is what makes the next few games so important. If the Senators can string together wins and look like a team on the rise, Staios may have the green light to be a buyer.
If not, it may be time to pivot.
What Buying Might Look Like
If Ottawa decides to buy at the deadline, don’t expect a blockbuster. This isn’t a team built for a Stanley Cup-or-bust move - at least not yet. The smarter play would be targeted upgrades that fill specific gaps without mortgaging the future.
One name that’s surfaced is Kiefer Sherwood, the 28-year-old winger from Vancouver. Staios was recently spotted at a Canucks-Canadiens game, and while that alone doesn’t confirm anything, it adds fuel to the idea that Ottawa is doing its homework.
Sherwood is a pending UFA who brings speed, grit, and versatility - the kind of bottom-six energy the Senators have been missing. He can kill penalties, move around the lineup, and bring a spark when the team needs it most.
And because he’s on an expiring deal, the price tag likely won’t be steep.
Beyond Sherwood, Ottawa could also look to shore up its blue line or add another middle-six forward - not headline names, but players who can stabilize the lineup and support the core. The key here isn’t to reshape the team, but to reinforce it.
The Danger of Doing Nothing
What Ottawa can’t afford is indecision. Standing still at the trade deadline sends a message - and not a good one.
Players feel it, coaches feel it, and fans definitely feel it. If the Senators drift out of contention without a clear plan, it’s another season lost in limbo.
That’s where Dreger’s seven-to-10-game window becomes so important. It forces the organization to make a call: either double down and invest in this group, or start thinking about how to build for tomorrow.
Waiting too long to act could mean missing out on both opportunities - the chance to compete now and the chance to plan ahead.
If Selling Becomes the Smart Play
Now, if the Senators stumble in the coming weeks, selling doesn’t mean waving the white flag. It means being honest about where things stand. That could mean moving expiring contracts or depth pieces in exchange for picks or young players who can help down the line.
This wouldn’t be a teardown - it would be a recalibration. A chance for Staios to assess which pieces of the current core are truly foundational, and which ones might be better used to bring in long-term help. It’s not about giving up; it’s about refusing to chase a playoff spot that may not be there.
Staios’ First Defining Test
This is one of the first big tests for Steve Staios as GM. He didn’t build this roster, but he’s now responsible for shaping its future. How he handles this stretch - whether by making a smart addition, staying the course, or shifting toward asset collection - will send a message about how this front office plans to operate.
Scouting trips, trade chatter, and internal evaluations are already in motion. The question is whether the Senators give Staios a reason to act - and in which direction.
The Clock Is Ticking in Ottawa
These next seven to 10 games aren’t just about points in the standings. They’re about identity, direction, and accountability.
If the Senators win, they earn the right to add reinforcements and chase a playoff berth. If they lose, the focus shifts to protecting the future and building a stronger foundation.
There’s no more time to wait. The trade deadline is coming fast, and Ottawa has to decide who it wants to be - a team pushing forward, a team regrouping, or one stuck in between. What they choose in the coming days could shape not just this season, but the next several to come.