NHL Rumors: Ottawa Senators Open to Trading 4 Players

The Ottawa Senators had high expectations heading into this season but unfortunately, once again, they appear headed for the NHL Draft Lottery. GM Steve Staios has surrounded himself with a fresh management team to bring in a new perspective and now the team gets to work. It sounds like they have a few irons in the fire at the moment.

First off, the biggest fish would be Jakob Chychrun. The Senators are listening as apposed to shopping the mobile top-pair defenseman. Chychrun is having another strong season with 31 points in 58 games and is under contract through next season at $4.6 million AAV. His no-trade clause covers 10 teams. Chychrun would fetch the Sens a massive return and allow for them to add a top-end netminder or top-six forward who could help provide some offense up front. 

Other trade candidates include Vladimir Tarasenko. The veteran winger is a pending free agent and the likes of the Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks have interest. So far, nothing is close as Tarasenko hasn't been asked to waive his no-trade clause. The Russian sniper is signed for $5 million and has scored 16 goals in 56 games.

Dominik Kubalik is another pending free-agent forward who the Senators are trying to cash in on. Kubalik has 12 points in 54 games so far in his first season in Ottawa and makes $2.5 million against the cap. He scored 20 goals for the Red Wings last season.

The wild card here is Joonas Korpisalo. Speculation has brewed around the Sens that they've offered Korpisalo up in multiple trade conversations as it hasn't been a great start to his tenure in Ottawa. With a depleted goalie market, Staios could try to cash in and get out off Korpisalo's contract which runs through the 2027-28 season at $4 million AAV. His no-trade clause covers 10 teams.

Keep an eye on the Senators, they are trying to re-tool on the fly and finally take a step forward after continuing to take two steps back.

Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports