{"id":410459,"date":"2026-01-16T08:25:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T08:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/410459\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T08:25:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T08:25:56","slug":"nhl-rumours-senators-coaching-sabres-and-wild-buying-reimer-return-the-hockey-writers-nhl-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/410459\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Senators Coaching, Sabres and Wild Buying &#038; Reimer Return &#8211; The Hockey Writers &#8211; NHL Rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In today\u2019s NHL rumour rundown, we look at the Ottawa Senators\u2019 coaching staff and general manager Steve Staios going to bat for them. Next, we look at two teams shaping up to be buyers at the trade deadline. Finally, <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/docs\/james-reimer\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Reimer<\/a> could be called upon for an NHL return after a strong performance in the Spengler Cup.<\/p>\n<p>Travis Green &amp; Coaching Staff Safe in Ottawa<\/p>\n<p>During a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/senators\/video\/steve-staios-mid-season-update-6387189087112\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">mid-season press conference<\/a>, Staios stated that he has full confidence in his coaching staff, led by Travis Green.<\/p>\n<p>While there haven\u2019t been many reports suggesting Green or any other coaches could be on the hot seat, the Senators aren\u2019t playing as well as they had hoped up to this point. While goaltending has been the major concern, yet again, the penalty kill has been just as brutal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/nhl-rumors-horvat-injury-oilers-bumps-tuch-on-rangers-radar-01-02-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NHL Rumors: Horvat Injury, Oilers Bumps, Tuch On Rangers Radar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not only did Staios say that their jobs are safe, but he went on to praise them as one of the hardest-working groups he had ever worked with, and that they are some of the best in the business.<\/p>\n<p>Sabres Enter Buyers Market, Wild Still Hunting<\/p>\n<p>On the verge of a franchise record-setting 11th straight win, the Buffalo Sabres have brought what was shaping up to be yet another miserable season to a point of true playoff contention.<\/p>\n<p>General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has been around the team long enough to know what kind of assets he has to work with, and as the Sabres sit in a playoff spot, they could become true buyers for the first time in many years.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"840\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Alex-Tuch-Buffalo-Sabres-1200x840.jpg\" alt=\"Alex Tuch Buffalo Sabres\" class=\"wp-image-1590758\"  \/>Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) before a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>They have one wrinkle in that, with Alex Tuch still being an upcoming free agent and coveted by any team. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/thesheethockey\/status\/2007136566813094340?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\">Jeff Marek reports<\/a> that the goal is to still get him signed, which might look similar to Adrian Kempe\u2019s deal, which was an eight-year deal worth $10.6 million annually. Whether they can re-sign Tuch or are forced to move him, their other deals over the next five weeks before the Olympics may have a buyer\u2019s mentality.<\/p>\n<p>The Wild, unsurprisingly, are ready to make a big splash again. Bill Guerin wasn\u2019t shy to pull the trigger on the Quinn Hughes deal to solve a roster issue, and with the need for an upgrade at center, watch the Wild for a deal for a player like Ryan O\u2019Reilly, Nazem Kadri, or another top-line center.<\/p>\n<p>Teams Keeping Eye on James Reimer<\/p>\n<p>After two good showings in the Spengler Cup, Reimer is reportedly getting some recognition, and teams are considering bringing him into their crease for depth. <\/p>\n<p>Elliotte Friedman spoke on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/podcasts\/32-thoughts\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">32 Thoughts Podcast<\/a>, and said teams want to have conversations with him, see where his mindset is at, and if there is a potential match to be made.<\/p>\n<p>Reimer started the year on a professional tryout with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and at one point, it appeared he could go back to them after being released. That didn\u2019t happen, but teams in a position to be a true contender could be an attractive landing spot for Reimer. <\/p>\n<p>Familiar teams like the Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes could be in the market for a goaltender like Reimer, while the Senators could reach out, too, with the absence of Linus Ullmark.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.substack.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/THW_Substack_Banner4-e1693132124550-1200x148.jpg\" alt=\"Substack Subscribe to the THW Daily and never miss the best of The Hockey Writers Banner\" class=\"wp-image-1229316\" style=\"width:671px;height:auto\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/anaheim-ducks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Anaheim Ducks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/boston-bruins\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Boston Bruins\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/buffalo-sabres\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Buffalo Sabres\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/calgary-flames\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Calgary Flames\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/carolina-hurricanes\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Carolina Hurricanes\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/chicago-blackhawks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Chicago Blackhawks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/colorado-avalanche\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Colorado Avalanche\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/columbus-blue-jackets\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Columbus Blue Jackets\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/dallas-stars\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Dallas Stars\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/detroit-red-wings\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Detroit Red Wings\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/edmonton-oilers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Edmonton Oilers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/florida-panthers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Florida Panthers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/los-angeles-kings\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Los Angeles Kings\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/montreal-canadiens\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Montreal Canadiens\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/minnesota-wild\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Minnesota Wild\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/nashville-predators\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Nashville Predators\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/new-jersey-devils\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"New Jersey Devils\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/new-york-islanders\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"New York Islanders\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/new-york-rangers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"New York Rangers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/ottawa-senators\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Ottawa Senators\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/philadelphia-flyers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Philadelphia Flyers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/pittsburgh-penguins\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Pittsburgh Penguins\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/san-jose-sharks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"San Jose Sharks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/seattle-kraken\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Seattle Kraken\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/st-louis-blues\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"St. Louis Blues\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/tampa-bay-lightning\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Tampa Bay Lightning\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Toronto Maple Leafs\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/utah-mammoth\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Utah Hockey Club\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/vancouver-canucks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Vancouve Canucks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/vegas-golden-knights\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Vegas Golden Knights\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/washington-capitals\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Washington Capitals\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/winnipeg-jets\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Winnipeg Jets\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In today\u2019s NHL rumour rundown, we look at the Ottawa Senators\u2019 coaching staff and general manager Steve Staios&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":410460,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5104],"tags":[6452,5,6874,4,72,25,5157,73,824],"class_list":{"0":"post-410459","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ottawa-senators","8":"tag-alex-tuch","9":"tag-hockey","10":"tag-james-reimer","11":"tag-nhl","12":"tag-ottawa","13":"tag-ottawa-senators","14":"tag-ottawasenators","15":"tag-senators","16":"tag-travis-green"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/115903830197642224","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=410459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410459\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/410460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=410459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=410459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=410459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}