{"id":503888,"date":"2026-03-15T01:18:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T01:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/503888\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T01:18:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T01:18:16","slug":"sens-gm-staios-recaps-trade-deadline-and-future-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/503888\/","title":{"rendered":"Sens GM Staios Recaps Trade Deadline and Future Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to a Saturday evening Ottawa Senators<\/a> rumours, perhaps to warm you up for NHL Headlines by Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet<\/a>\u2018s Hockey Night in Canada in a couple hours time. At the intermission of today\u2019s Anaheim Duck and Sen game, Claire Hanna met with Sens general manager Steve Staios<\/a>. Let\u2019s discuss the discussion.<\/p>\n

Ottawa Senators and NHL Rumours Chatting with GM Steve Staios<\/p>\n

Rumour: Claire Hanna was asking Staios a bunch of questions. The two main topics being the review of the trade deadline and the upcoming gm meetings beginning tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Analysis: Staios isn\u2019t someone to show his cards. He\u2019s calm and calculated, and he has stayed consistent in his messaging and objectives.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Credit Image: \u00a9 Alex Cave\/ZUMA Press Wire<\/p>\n

The session started with Hanna asking Staios to comment on the recent decision to reverse the Sens trade penalty<\/a>. Ottawa had previously been unable to use their 2024, 2025, or 2026 first-round draft pick. It was punishment for the previous GM Pierre Dorion\u2019s mistake to not inform the Vegas Golden Knights of a clause in Evgenii Dadonov<\/a>\u2018s contract when the Sens traded him. The main argument that Steve was a part of, but likely Michael Andlauer led, they were making to the NHL in hopes of reversing the initial ruling, was that previous regime had been (largely) removed by the organization. Staios summarized it as \u201cIt\u2019s important, it\u2019s valuable to the team, and to the organization.\u201d And was grateful for Andlauer\u2019s effort in the process.<\/p>\n

Staios reflecting on the matter, sees it as a boost of confidence. It made him feel as though the league respects that Ottawa conducts its business the right way. Of course you know that is important, big picture.<\/p>\n

Having the newsy stuff out of the way, they could dig into the main topic for the discussion. Hanna was quick to bring up the topic of the recently passed 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. The general messaging the media has been reporting is that Sens did try on many different proposals. There does seem to be the sentiment that teams kept asking for Ridly Greig<\/a> or Carter Yakemchuk, who the Sens didn\u2019t feel would return enough of an upgrade on their current roster, at this time. One point to consider is the group\u2019s collective belief in the defensive group as-is. Conversely, it is concerning that today\u2019s game featured no Jake Sanderson<\/a> or Nick Jensen<\/a>, both out due to injury. You really see the group tested, but they do seem to perform well, when needing to step up.<\/p>\n

Senators general manager Steve Staios joins @clahanna<\/a> to discuss the NHL modifying Ottawa’s punishment of a loss of a first-round pick, how he approached the trade deadline this year, the No. 1 priority for the Sens in the offseason, and more: https:\/\/t.co\/o5mwQmaPrM<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lwmdaHS6U1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline for the Sens from Staios\u2019 Eyes<\/p>\n

For Sen fans, even if it felt like a quiet deadline, they picked up<\/a> Warren Foegele<\/a>. The swap of David Perron<\/a> out, and bringing Foegele in, wasn\u2019t unlike the Jakob Chychrun<\/a> for Nick Jensen trade, or the Joshua Norris<\/a> for Dylan Cozens<\/a> exchange. They just felt that it was an upgrade, for the team, at that time. For Foegele specifically, he can fill many roles and has lots of speed, never a bad combo.<\/p>\n

The point is that the Sens felt that they were productive at the deadline. It might be a sense of laying the groundwork for the foundation of the offseason that will want to see improvements in the club. Just like any club would want to see improvements. Staios kept going with the phrase \u201cin it.\u201d\u00a0He felt as though his team was in it, as in the Stanley Cup Playoff picture, and approaching the deadline as buyers, essentially. Therefore, Staios felt as though he had approached the deadline aggressively.<\/p>\n

“(Getting the 2026 1st rd pick back) is valuable to the team and to the organization. And I’m just very grateful for Michael Andlauer and his passion. This was his work.” ~ Steve Staios on TSN<\/p>\n

\u2014 Graeme Nichols (@GraemeNichols) March 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Ultimately, this could lead to a lot in the offseason, but it could also lead to more of the same. Just small adjustments, aimed at making one specific area better. It does seem that their number-one priority would be like upgrading their defence. However, as Staios does go back to, he does suggest liking his group. That is something head coach Travis Green<\/a> seems to share a similar message on, at times.<\/p>\n

Even if the Sens feel they need an upgrade defensively, they have the option of doing internally. Carter Yakemchuk will likely see NHL time next season, and he projects to become a top-four defenceman, at least. Now, it is difficult to accelerate anyone\u2019s progress, but it is one option.<\/p>\n

What About that Save Percentage?<\/p>\n

The next topic Claire Hanna brought up was the goaltending. It has been source of problems for the Sens in 2025-26. Staios definitely shared a similar message, as it is hard to avoid the topic. Their save percentage had been historically bad for so long, it was impossible to ignore. It is why they signed a veteran, out of basically retirement, James Reimer<\/a>. Moreover, Staios suggested that Linus Ullmark<\/a> knows to understand the big picture. Staios said of Ullmark that \u201chasn\u2019t played to his expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staios is quick to pick up for his goaltender. He does think that Ullmark fits well with the group, and his play is representative of the club\u2019s play, as a whole. He continued \u201cWe believe in him and believe he is going to turn it around.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lot of this has been a similar message through the process. Staios knows his team could improve, after all, they are living and dying on every available two points in the standings. He went on to say, \u201cI really like our team. I like our depth.\u201d Again, kind of pointing at the fact that a lot of the Sens improvements will be based on internal growth and development. Believing in yourself, and the group you have assembled, and the process, can be a successful approach. Yes, the Sens would love to land a big piece like they sounded like they tried to land MacKenzie Weegar<\/a> around the deadline. But not at the expense that teams would naturally target. Plus, the lack of a 2026 first rounder didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

So, Staios believes in his group. It will be another calculated summer, regardless of how 2025-26 ends up. The Sens group still has a lot of potential to fulfill, and everyone hopes the time is now.<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images<\/p>\n

Goaltending Struggles Are Sinking the Ottawa Senators Season<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Staios tells @clahanna<\/a> about the deadline: “There just wasn’t a lot that shook loose at the deadline.” Doesn’t rule out Carter Yakemchuk making the team next year #Sens<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) March 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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