Now that we are here at the 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline, it will be curious to see what the Ottawa Senators do. Welcome to NHL Rumours, Ottawa Senators style, as we break down all the happenings on trade deadline day. Ottawa is fishing, but what for exactly?

NHL and Ottawa Senators Rumours as they Search for a Right-Shot Defenceman

Rumour: We will go with Ottawa Senator insider Bruce Garrioch’s thoughts here. His Tweet from earlier today suggested that Ottawa is seeking a right-shot defenceman to upgrade their top four as we find ourselves on trade deadline day, 2025-26.

Analysis: This has long been known, basically since Jensen’s hip injury raised questions to his abilities in the top four. Of note, Jensen is a pending unrestricted free agent.

Even though Nick Jensen has recently popped up on trade boards, it is possible general manager Steve Staios and crew want to give him one more chance at a run. In terms of potential trade bait outside of Jensen, who else do the Senators have?

The #Sens have continued to scour the market for a right-shot defenceman this AM.

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) March 6, 2026

They still have some veterans, but with the playoffs so close to them, it is difficult seeing them do a sell-off. Nick Cousins or Lars Eller are perfect veterans for the ultimate grind that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fabian Zetterlund is another name that has been tossed around. One problem with Zetterlund, is his perceived decreased value. Although, if he is packaged in a deal to a younger team, he could easily regain his form from the past few seasons.

The Sens Do Have Assets Available to Offer

Therefore, it seems more likely that we would turn to the younger guys. Stephen Halliday was held out of action last night, adding some notion to the idea he could be moved. However, he is one of the Sens best young players, in terms of NHL prospects. They would really have to be hitting a big home run, in order to move a piece like that. Other young guys discussed as available include Mads Sogaard and Tyler Boucher. Even though Ottawa doesn’t have a first-round draft pick to offer for this year, they do in 2027. In any case, they do have options in putting together competitive trade packages.

We believe Warren Foegele‘s acquisition fits the bill for wanting some top-six scoring. Yes, he is having a down year this year, but that is what he has been brought in to do. So, what else is left to do for Ottawa?

The collective thinking is that they try to land a big name right-shot defenceman. But who is available? We seen them miss out on some big players already this trading season. Those players included MacKenzie Weegar, John Carlson, Connor Murphy, and Tyler Myers, among others.

So, Who is Available?

For our NHL Rumours, well, Colton Parayko would be one option. He is a bit older, but the Sens are right in their competitive window with their group. If he could give them two-to-three years of playoff runs beyond this year, he just might be an ideal addition. The other idea is that Parayko might prefer to go to the Western Conference, after nixing the deal to the Buffalo Sabres.

Rasmus Ristolainen is another potential one. The 13-year NHL veteran is a solid defender. He still plays over 20 minutes a night. One question would he be a definite needle tipper, above the replacement of Nick Jensen? That is not a clear answer, and that is what Staios needs right now, is clear, definitive decisions.

Probably another leading d-man to mention is Zach Whitecloud. It is curious to mention Whitecloud, since he was just involved in the Rasmus Andersson trade, earlier this season. At age 29, he would synch up to the Sens core age better than some of the older options. He might just tip the needle enough over Jensen, given his age, and also less of demand in return of some of the other options, to pull the trigger. Hmmm.

One Team to Consider as Trading Partners

The final team we will mention as a target, is the New Jersey Devils. Maybe Staios can work with Fitzie Tom Fitzgerald to make a mutually beneficial deal. The two pieces that we would mention, in terms of right-shot defencemen, are Simon Nemec and Dougie Hamilton. First of all for Hamilton, he is an excellent right-shot defenceman. You’d like to think that he would pair up nicely with either of Thomas Chabot or Jake Sanderson, with Artem Zub rounding out their top four. However, you have to keep in mind, that given Hamilton’s offensive-minded style of play, it might clash with the two lefties, Sandy and Chabby.

As for Nemec, that would bring up the problem of demand. He will command big return in assets, and given the Sens want to contend now, it isn’t an assured the timing synchs up well. They would tend to prefer a veteran to go in their top four, opposed to a youngster like Nemec. On the other side of the coin, a team like Montreal might be an example where youthfulness can work. Also, their could be an argument to be made that Sanderson is more of a veteran in terms of reliability than his age would suggest.

The Last Word for NHL Rumours

Whatever the Sens do, they are very close to the playoffs. Despite being four points out, they are right around 50% according to the websites that provide playoff probabilities. So, maybe it is okay to stick with the group that got them here. They do want an upgrade, and who wouldn’t? But if it is at the expense of Ridly Greig, it is probably not a good idea.

Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Â