Ottawa Senators GM Scouting Sabres & Ducks as Trade Talks Heat Up

The Ottawa Senators are expected to be one of the busier teams ahead of the March 8 trade deadline. It's been a disappointing season in Ottawa and more changes are on the way. The new management regime has been working tirelessly to scout some trade potentials and it turns out recently, GM Steve Staios has been watching the Buffalo Sabres in particular.

I've become less interested in the list of scouts at games because scouts go to games generally to see a game. I do make exceptions when opposing GMs pay visits, however, and Sens GM Steve Staios on the list for today's game.

— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) February 19, 2024

It's not often two divisional rivals make a deal together so it will be interesting to see if the Senators and Sabres can cook something up. The Ducks are also a team to watch ahead of the deadline as GM Pat Verbeek is still in sell mode and they have a variety of pending free agents who are interesting onlook teams. If the Ducks and Sens made a deal together, it would be a 'hockey deal' and could have several young players included.

The Sabres are expected to be buying ahead of the deadline, even though this season playoff hopes have essentially already been shattered. The Sabres, like the Sens haven't been able to find their groove in 2023-24 and GM Kevyn Adams will be looking to shake things up as much as possible. Some trade assets on the Sabres who are likely available to contending teams include Victor Olofsson, Erik Johnson and Eric Comrie.

As for the Senators, they are expected to move Vladimir Tarasenko before the deadline and there has been some rumblings about them looking to go another direction in net, even though Joonas Korpisalo is signed long term. 

Photo credit:  Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports