With the NHL trade deadline approaching, the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche have specific needs to consider addressing.
These clubs are in different situations. The Senators look to qualify for the post-season after seven years outside of the playoffs, while the Avalanche hope to bolster their chances of getting out of the tough Central Division and returning to the Stanley Cup final after winning it all in 2022.
Ottawa has not made any significant moves since trading for 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark and trading away Jakob Chychrun last summer. They have two areas of need that are fairly equal in terms of importance.
Colorado made a pre-emptive move last month to deal pending UFA right winger Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, adding centers Martin Necas and Jack Drury. But they could fill some of the void left by dealing the Finn.
Here are the primary and secondary areas of need each club should address before the NHL trade deadline:
Ottawa Senators
Main Need: Bottom-Four Defenseman
The Sens have a pair of excellent left-handed blueliners with youngster Jake Sanderson and veteran Thomas Chabot. Artem Zub is a solid shutdown D-man on the right side, and Nick Jensen has been a nice addition after trading Jakob Chychrun last off-season.
Coach Travis Green has enough options to fill the remaining two spots with veteran Travis Hamonic, Tyler Kleven, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Nikolas Matinpalo.
But the Senators could use someone who can provide more quality minutes for the stretch run and can fill in on the top pair if needed. Zub’s multiple injuries earlier in the season exposed the quality of depth on the right side in terms of reducing chances against and generating offense at the other end.
GM Steve Staios has to be on the lookout for either a second- or third-pairing blueliner with term or a rental if it’s playoffs or bust for the Senators.
Secondary Need: Scoring Forward
Green has emphasized improved team defense with the Sens. Their 2.81 goals against per game ranks ninth in the NHL as a result, but it has come at the cost of their offense, which is 23rd overall with 2.79 goals-for per game.
The uncertain factor is the severity of Tkachuk’s injury. He’s not ruled out for Feb. 26 against the Winnipeg Jets and did practise on Tuesday. But whether he’s out for longer than expected or not, the Senators should seek a middle-six forward who can provide some crucial secondary scoring. They just need to find cap space to make any move.
Colorado Avalanche
Main Need: Top-Nine Forward
GM Chris MacFarland has been busy this season, focusing mostly on upgrading between the pipes after the struggles of Alexandar Georgiev. Even though Necas is scoring at over a point per game pace since the trade, coach Jared Bednar may still need another forward to make up for the departure of Rantanen. It is still unknown whether Gabriel Landeskog will return. If he’s out for the rest of the regular season, MacFarland has some cap flexibility to add help up front.
Secondary Need: Bottom-Pairing Defenseman
The Avs have arguably the best defenseman in the NHL in Cale Makar and an excellent top-four with Devon Toews, Samuel Girard and Josh Manson. However, the potential of going deep in the playoffs might necessitate Colorado adding to its depth, which includes Oliver Kylington, veteran Calvin de Haan, Sam Malinski and Keaton Middleton. A veteran blueline rental who could kill penalties would be the best fit.
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