Steve Staios has been on the job as Senators general manager for less than six months.
His first trade as GM did not exactly wow the fan base — netting two middle-round picks for the late-season services of Vladimir Tarasenko.
But let’s give the man an opportunity to make his mark. Wednesday’s trade of Tarasenko to the Florida Panthers was merely the opening volley. To Florida: Tarasenko, 32, while Ottawa retains 50 per cent of the player’s salary. To Ottawa: a 2024 fourth-round pick (which elevates to third-round pick if the Panthers win the Stanley Cup) and a 2025 third-round pick.
Staios is looking to do a lot more before Friday’s trade deadline and vows to strengthen his roster through further opportunities at the June draft and throughout the off-season.
A pending unrestricted free agent, Tarasenko had a full no trade clause, courtesy of a contract negotiated with previous Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion last summer. And the veteran winger used that clause to land in Florida with the Cup-chasing Panthers, not far from Fort Lauderdale, where Tarasenko has his home and family.
We get the sense that Staios felt it was important to do right by the player in this deal. It helps establish the Senators as a player-friendly franchise, something that Staios and his lieutenants, Dave Poulin and Ryan Bowness, want to forge.
“I’m happy with the return, I’m happy Vladdy gets to go home,” Staios said, in a scrum with media in Southern California Wednesday, where the Senators played Anaheim Monday night (a 2-1 loss) and face the Los Angeles Kings Thursday night.
“His family had been there the entire year, so he gets to play on a very good team and have an opportunity and be close to home again,” Staios said.
Staios wouldn’t elaborate on any talks to keep Tarasenko in Ottawa other than to say “we like Vladdy,” and wish him well.
“As time went on, this was the outcome,” Staios said.
Asked if there might have been an opportunity closer to Friday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline to squeeze more of a return out of Tarasenko, Staios said: “unequivocally, no.
“We exhausted all the options,” Staios said. “We felt comfortable where it was at. There’s value in that deal and it allows us to look at some other things now.”
Ah, yes, those other things.
The Senators have another pending UFA in winger Dominik Kubalik.
As well, anyone interested in the likes of forward Mark Kastelic and defenceman Erik Brannstrom could make a deal.
Ottawa’s biggest remaining chip is defenceman Jakob Chychrun, who continues to vault up the trade board as other defencemen move before the deadline.
While Staios insists he has not been actively shopping Chychrun, he is taking a lot of calls on the left-shot defenceman. Chychrun has another year remaining on a deal paying him $4.6 million per year.
“If I was at the other end (of the call), I would enquire about him,” Staios said.
Unlike Tarasenko, who is UFA, Chychrun provides Staios and the management team a chance to be patient on a deal. But if an offer comes along this week that is too good to pass up, a Chychrun trade could be imminent.
Asked about upgrading his goaltending, Staios kept things vague, saying he is looking to upgrade all areas. Chances are, a goalie move will happen down the road, when there are more options available.
Staios attempted to support his current tandem, Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg.
“Our goaltending with the right play in front of them has shown that — we have had good goaltending,” Staios said. “There’s been stretches of the season with our group where we’ve played some really good hockey. The inconsistencies are what we’re trying to put our finger on. Is it just that we’re young? Is it inexperience?
“We’re looking at all that. But certainly we’ve put a stretch together where we look like we’re taking that next step.”
Staios confirmed that interim head Jacques Martin will remain behind the bench for the rest of the regular season and that a search for the next coach will take place “at the appropriate time.”
‘Long-term’ injury with Norris
Without providing much detail on the nature of the injury, centre Josh Norris is dealing with a “long-term situation,” according to Staios.
Norris was injured in a Feb. 27 game against Nashville, after receiving a shoulder-to-shoulder hit. The young centre has a history of shoulder injuries, including surgeries. Staios said that Norris is being assessed using multiple medical opinions, including that of Senators staff.
Although the GM wouldn’t rule out a return to action this season, that seems unlikely at this point.
Ducks 2, Senators 1
More bad news on the road. Defenceman Thomas Chabot again left a game late in the third period with an injury. His status will be updated Thursday. Also injured was callup Matt Highmore, who provided a spark and helped set up Ottawa’s only goal, by Kastelic, in the first period.
Despite a rare early lead, the Senators could not put another puck past Lukas Dostal in the Anaheim net. The Sens outshot the Ducks 18-5 in the third period.
Mads Sogaard took the loss for Ottawa, stopping 14 of 16 Ducks shots.
Anaheim was missing several players, including Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick, who were traded earlier in the day. Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson were out with injuries.
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