The Ottawa Senators might be sitting 10 points out of the final wild-card spot in the East, but don’t let that fool you - they’re not throwing in the towel. The front office is staying aggressive ahead of the trade deadline, and the message is clear: they’re still in this fight.
The Senators are reportedly targeting a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman - a bold ask, especially given where they sit in the standings. But the names linked to Ottawa show they’re swinging big.
Calgary’s Blake Coleman and MacKenzie Weegar are both on the radar, and either one would be a major upgrade. Together?
That would be a game-changer.
Now, there’s a wrinkle with Weegar. He’s got a full no-movement clause, meaning he’d have to approve any trade.
That’s a big hurdle, but it’s worth noting he’s originally from Ottawa. Whether that hometown connection is enough to move the needle remains to be seen, and there’s no indication yet that the Flames are actively shopping him.
Still, the Senators are clearly prioritizing players with term - guys who can help now and stick around for the longer haul.
This isn’t a rental push. It’s a calculated effort to address key roster gaps with impact players who can grow with the core. The Senators believe they’ve got the foundation in place - now they’re looking to add the right pieces to elevate it.
Around the Atlantic:
There’s good news coming out of Tampa Bay. Victor Hedman, the Lightning’s captain and defensive anchor, is set to return to the lineup tomorrow.
And he’s not the only one on the mend. Brayden Point, Emil Martinsen Lilleberg, and Charle-Edouard D’Astous all skated with the team at practice today.
Once Hedman is officially activated, those three will be the final names left on injured reserve. In other words, the Lightning are getting healthy at just the right time.
Meanwhile in Buffalo, the Sabres are taking a cautious but optimistic approach with Joshua Norris. He’s missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury, but there’s no plan to shut him down through the Olympic break.
He’s resumed skating and will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip. Norris made it clear he’s not interested in sitting out if he’s good to go: “If you’re ready to go, you’re not just going to sit out.
So when I feel like I’m 100 percent, I’m going to play.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want to hear from a player trying to get back in the mix. The Sabres will be watching closely, but for now, it’s trending in the right direction.
As we approach the trade deadline and the Olympic pause, the Eastern Conference is starting to shift - and teams like Ottawa, Tampa Bay, and Buffalo are all making moves, whether it’s through the trade market or the return of key players. The stretch run is coming, and the stakes are only getting higher.