The Canadiens, Senators and Flames are all running into the same hard reality right now: roster pressure isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s forcing decisions, and in some cases it’s forcing uncomfortable ones.
In Montreal, Adam Engstrom is at the center of that squeeze. The Canadiens are said to be “open to” moving him, but that does not mean they’re looking to dump him.
Other teams have checked in, and Montreal’s view is that Engstrom still has real value. If someone wants him, the price is going to matter.
That makes sense given the shape of the Canadiens’ blue line. The defence picture is crowded enough that Engstrom is probably looking at limited third-pairing minutes or even time in the press box.
At the same time, his stock is rising. His Laval numbers, NHL call-ups and the growing attention from scouts all point to a player trending in the right direction.
Montreal may listen, but there’s no sign they’re eager to move him unless the return is worth it.
The broader pressure point for Canadian teams is getting harder to ignore. More American players are now asking to get out of Canadian markets, or quietly steering toward those destinations with no-trade protection.
That isn’t just random summer noise. It tracks with a stronger U.S. development pipeline, where the NCAA and USA Hockey are producing more elite talent and giving players more options to stay closer to home.
The Calgary Flames in 2022 remain the sharpest example. They lost Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, and the damage was immediate.
That’s why the uncomfortable question has surfaced again: should Canadian teams even be drafting American players? The answer, according to the reporting, is no.
The better path is to stay competitive, make the money and stability work, and build an environment where players don’t feel like they have to leave.
Ottawa is dealing with its own clock. Drake Batherson’s contract talks are active, but there’s still a gap between what he wants and what the Senators are offering. The deadline that matters most is September 15, when Ottawa would ideally have him locked into an eight-year deal before the new CBA reduces the maximum term to seven.
Batherson appears to want to stay in Ottawa long-term, and the Senators want that too. He’s been a major part of the offence, especially alongside Tim Stützle.
But if the sides can’t bridge the gap, Ottawa can’t afford to let the situation drift. They may have to explore a trade, or even a sign-and-trade, to make sure they get value instead of losing him for nothing.
In Other News...
Senators Forward Depth Could Get Tested Fast Next Season
The Senators forward depth could be one of the more interesting early-season storylines if Ottawa comes out of the gate slowly next year. Andre Burakovsky and Warren Foegele both arrived with clear expectations attached, and their fits in the lineup may be judged quickly if the offense sputters and the club needs a jolt.
Burakovskys future in particular appears tied to whether he can deliver enough scoring to justify his spot, while Foegeles value will be measured in much the same way. If those contributions do not come, Ottawa could explore moving either veteran, though both players have limited no-trade clauses that would shape the process and add another layer to a decision the Senators may not want to make in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Core Is Running Out Of Time To Prove Itself
The Senators are heading into another season with a core group that has now been together for seven years, a stretch long enough to demand something more than promise. Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto and Thomas Chabot have grown up together in Ottawa, and the front office has already shown it wants some continuity by bringing Claude Giroux back on a one-year contract.
What makes this moment feel more urgent is that the organization is still sorting out what comes next around that core. Batherson is entering the final year of his deal, so his future has become an obvious focal point as the Senators try to keep their main pieces aligned for a push. Off the ice, there is also the longer-running question of the proposed downtown arena, with the club saying fans should get an update in the new year. [Read more 🡒]