NHL Rumours: Ottawa Senators Searching Top-Six Scorer Market

It seems like a good time for NHL Rumours to check in on the Ottawa Senators. Between injuries to star players for the Ottawa Senators, such as starting goalie Linus Ullmark , and some inconsistencies in their game, despite a relatively strong start, there are some areas that could use some tweaks. So let's decipher what the insiders are saying, let's get sensational.

NHL Rumours and the Sens Could Seek Supplemental Scoring

Rumours : Today's rumours come from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen and also the crew at 32 Thoughts The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas. Both were hitting on the same thing and player, that general manager Steve Staios and staff might be ramping up their search for top-six offensive help, in the name of Teuvo Teravainen .

Analysis : When you dig deeper, the Sens may indeed want to make a trade, but it might not even be for a forward.

The fears surrounding Ottawa's offensive depth were heightened just today, as head coach Travis Green does think that Warren Foegele will miss some time. However, an exact timeline has yet to be provided. This is compounded by the fact that their top left winger, William Eklund, is already injured , and based on the original timeline given, is expected to miss at least another six weeks, or longer.

Despite this, what makes Ottawa's situation unique, is that they do have a lot of depth on forward. So, the offensive boost could come from an internal source. Whether that is swapping around Ridly Greig , Dylan Cozens , Shane Pinto, Andre Burakovsky , or Claude Giroux in the lineup, you can tell by the name power, these are no slouches on the offensive side of the puck. One of them should be able to really get going.

Plus, the way the injuries to the defence have been so frequent, even back to last season, makes you wonder if that wouldn't be a bad spot to have an upgrade. Mind you, tonight Carter Yakemchuk finds himself sitting, so they probably do have enough depth there, despite their propensity for injury. With guys like Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot back there, quarterbacking the attack, it can really help the forwards produce more. Also, someone like Artem Zub , who seems to like it in Ottawa, besides how well he plays there, is up for a contract this year. He's is playing well given it is a contract year, but it is tough to say if the Sens would consider moving him, especially with Yakemchuk's development.

So, as for our NHL Rumours discussion, even though it isn't set in stone that the Sens are looking for some help upfront, just where can they look? The name that Garrioch and Friedman both mentioned was Teravainen. Friedman did say that he was told that the rumour was not true. Furthermore, it is likely he is comfortable with the Chicago Blackhawks, and vice versa, as the power play basically runs through him currently. Now, Friedman is the first to admit that things could change, and "circumstances evolve" like many rumours that end up turning into unexpected signings or trades.

Some other players and teams that could have some interest include the Detroit Red Wings, with Andrew Copp and Michael Rasmussen , and teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins , and Nashville Predators, are already known to be active. Also, Michael Eyssimont's name has been brought up.

But with those names at forward, it does beg the question if whether they are even tangible upgrades to their current alignment. Especially when you think players like Ridly Greig or Shane Pinto are mentioned in trade rumours, why would you give up those players if you aren't receiving a true star, or otherwise even, given their potential. Another potential name, who is still a free agent, is former Sen, Vladimir Tarasenko. Now that might take some roster juggling anyway, given that the Sens are up against the salary cap ceiling. The other angle is the goaltending perspective, and between Ullmark's injury history, and the club's well documented issues with backup goalies, who really knows if this would be the best spot for an upgrade.

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