The Senators are a legit threat – so how active will they be at the NHL Trade Deadline?

Credit: Nov 12, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates a win with goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Ottawa Senators are for real, and have quickly become a team to watch leading up to the NHL’s trade deadline March 7.

The Senators enter Tuesday’s action third in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 29-20-4, and all of their re-tooling last offseason has paid off. The Senators have also managed to navigate a slew of injuries to some key players, with a ‘next man up’ approach, which has bode them well throughout the year.

Ottawa has been led by Tim Stutzle, who has recorded 53 points in 53 games, while also receiving strong starts to the season from the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson. In net, Linus Ullmark has been solid, posting a 2.38 goals against average in his 23 appearances.

On Tuesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discussed the Senators, and dove into what to expect from them leading up to deadline day.

Yaremchuk: I’m just looking, since Dec.1, expected goals against per 60 minutes, the Sens rank 12th in the league. Again, not giving up a lot of dangerous chances, and, they’re getting stops. So, again, last night, really really good, Brady Tkachuk looked great, we’ve mentioned David Perron’s two points. When we had Brent Wallace on a couple of weeks ago, we talked about the need for maybe more scoring here in Ottawa, do you think that’s their lone need ahead of the deadline?

Seravalli: I think they would also like to add on their back end. But, I have zero doubt that Steve Staios, and his group, will be really active between now and March 7. When I look at the trade targets board, there aren’t necessarily a few fits that jump off the page, but I think it’s so critical for this team to not just get in, in a wide open Eastern Conference this year to see what can happen, I think it’s critical this team gets a taste of what getting to the Stanley Cup Playoffs feels like.

It’s not just for your fans and fanbase to show them – hey, this long rebuild that has had fits and starts over the years is finally coming to an end. But, also to sell to everyone else around the rest of the league, that the Sens are here, and they’re not going anywhere for awhile.

For more on the Senators pre-deadline plans, Ryan Hartman’s 10-game suspension, and all the very latest trade buzz from around the league, watch the full episode below.