Who do Sens Fans want at the Deadline?
It is trade deadline season, and many moves are coming in the next week. I know Steve Staios said he was not gonna make any big moves, but I thought it would be fun to see what the fans suggest the team does this year. I asked who you all wanted and got many answers that I will
Analyze. Note: Trades are both graded on realism, return, and haul.
NickGDubb03 says: Jacob-Bernard Docker for Michael McCarron and a sixth-round pick. Third rounder this year and fifth next year to the Chicago Blackhawks for Lukas Reichel
Trade grade: B- and A-
It’s fair value from my point of view. Michael McCarron is a good defensive forward who would fit in well on the fourth line and his contract is not up till next year. It only gets a B- because McCarron is not exactly the type of forward Ottawa needs, however, it is a good trade for sure. It sucks that JBD is logically the one being traded as I hoped and pushed for him to get a better chance in Ottawa but I hope he does well either way. As for Reichel, he’s a good middle six winger and he would be solid for our depth scoring. He’s on pace for 25-30 points this season but he’s only 22 years old. He could still be a second-line winger if the Sens develop him right.
Sensfan6516 says: JBD and a fifth-rounder for Gustav Nyqvist and 50% retained
Trade Grade: B-
Nyquist is a good bottom-six two-way player who could be solid and retention for his deal would be great. Not exactly the player we need, but a deal like this would get a fair reception. He might pair well with Pinto and Greig or on the fourth line.
Burner_acc10647 says: Second-rounder and a fourth-rounder to the Chicago Blackhawks for Ryan Donato
Trade Grade: C+
I love Ryan Donato and the skillset he would bring to Ottawa would be perfect. However, two picks for a pending UFA who would be in the middle six is a bit of an overpay. I think the second-rounder would be fine.
MartyCyberspace says: Perron, a fourth-rounder, future considerations to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations
Trade Grade: D
This is such a Pat Verbeek move that the chances he says no to this are non-existent. However, the only way this benefits Ottawa is for cap purposes. If this move is made to get a bigger piece, then it’s a B, but on its own it leaves Ottawa’s already rough LW depth in a worse position.
Luca_C27 says: Jacob Bernard Docker + 2026 (WSH) 3rd for Luke Evangelista
Trade Grade: A
Evangelista is the type of player that Ottawa needs if they want to make a playoff push. Still on the ELC so the cap is not an issue, he is 23 years old and his offensive production would fit on the third line well with Pinto and Greig. I like this move a lot, I am upset Staios has not done it yet.
Zman0088 says: Perron, JBD, Anton Forsberg, a second and third-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Rickard Rakell. Drake Batherson to the Buffalo Sabres for JJ Peterka and a fourth-round pick. JBD and a second-rounder plus a conditional third-rounder if the Sens make the playoffs to the Chicago Blackhawks for Ryan Donato.
Trade Grade: A+, A, B-
Kyle Dubas will be fire-selling at the trade deadline if I recall and Rickard Rickell would be awesome on the second line in Ottawa. 30 goal scorer, on pace for 60 points and would be good for the second power-play unit. A rising cap will make the deal easier to take on, so I like this move a lot. JJ Peterka is the goal scorer that Tim Stutzle needs on his line. The German connection would be beautiful and the rising cap will help sign him to a long-term deal in the offseason. Getting him and a pick would be a fleece I got to be honest. Donato again would be great in the middle six but that package might be an overpay. If we make the playoffs, however, that extra pick won’t matter.
Tkaptain Rick says: Ryan Donato for a third-rounder and a fourth-rounder
Trade Grade: A+
If Ottawa has to do a multi-pick package for Donato this would be it. Still trading a haul but a haul meant for a middle sixer like him, a great deal.
Timster_17 says: Batherson and a second/third-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres for JJ Peterka
Trade Grade: A
Fair value for both sides of the deal, I love it. That would be the type of haul I would expect Adams to ask for so this seems like it would work.
C_Ott_Sens says: David Perron, Michael Amadio, JBD and a second-rounder for Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau
Trade grade: B-
The explanation is solid, I think they would both be solid contributors in Ottawa for a playoff push. Not a fan of moving Amadio as his defensive production was exactly what Ottawa needed. It does move Perron however, so it’s not a bad move to make.
NylanderForHart says: Zach MacEwen and David Perron to Nashville for a fourth-rounder and Marc Del Gaizo.
Trade Grade: C-
Had to google that name before analyzing this I will be honest. However, if this is a move to get the cap to make a bigger move I do not hate it. These are not good contracts so getting a fourth-rounder back is good. The grade is only this low because it seems more like a trade in place to make a bigger trade.
Ridlygreig71 says: Third rounder and sixth rounder for Matias Maccelli with $1,500,000 salary retained.
Trade grade: A-
Would be a good left wing to have in the bottom six, and we are struggling in LW depth on the roster. It’s a good haul to give for his contract retained and he’s a decent goal scorer for his role as well. I like this move overall.
Jimmy’s Stew says: Josh Norris & a second-round pick to Buffalo for JJ Peterka, Anton Forsberg 50% salary retained to the Oilers for a third-round pick, JBD to the Flames for a third-round pick
Trade Grade: C, B+, C-
Josh Norris’ contract is still an issue with most fans, but I do not see Buffalo’s benefit in making this deal. It would be an Ottawa fleece but a fleece that even Kevyn Adams could see from a mile away. Anton Forsberg to the Oilers is the most logical cap move to make as they need a goalie and Leevi Meriläinen is on the rise in the AHL. JBD to the Flames is solid, but the issue is I do not see why Calgary would-be buyers at the deadline. They are in the wildcard race, but they’re not good enough to truly make that big push yet to playoff contention.
Hockeynature says: Josh Norris or Batherson to the Buffalo Sabres for JJ Peterka
Trade Grade: C if Norris, B- if Batherson
Norris for Peterka one-for-one is a firable move by Kevyn Adams, Batherson, however, would be a decent haul back. However, I assume Buffalo would want draft capital as well for him.
LiamLiamLiam (Streetbuzz cameraman) says: Anton Forsberg to the Carolina Hurricanes for a fourth-round pick. Fourth-round pick (CAR), third-round pick (OTT), and second-round pick(OTT), and Ridly Greig for JJ Peterka
Trade Grade: B+, A+
Forsberg to Carolina for extra draft capital to bring up Leevi is a good move as they do need a proper backup goalie. Using said draft capital to get Peterka with that haul would be phenomenal. I love Ridly Greig but I would absolutely make that move. Liam is cooking guys.
Leblock_James says: Drake Batherson, a 2025 second-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick to Buffalo for Alex Tuch
Trade Grade: B-
Solid haul for Alex Tuch. Tuch has not been the same player since his 2022-23 run, but he is still a good contributor to a top-six. The issue would be figuring out the cap to make it work, but I could see this working.
While some of these things might not happen, the deadline is always an exciting time for hockey fans. Whatever moves are made by Steve Staios this year are moves that I hope will push the team forward and into playoff contention.
