The Ottawa Senators are actively pursuing a major forward acquisition to strengthen their top-six wings, according to recent reports. General manager Steve Staios has been scouting the market since May, targeting a physical scorer amid limited trade assets. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks may soon move on from forward Lukas Reichel after just 13 games.
The Ottawa Senators, sitting eighth in league scoring, are looking to address a gap in their top-six forward group. Key players like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto anchor the lineup, but the wings have seen rotations including Ridly Greig, David Perron, Claude Giroux, Lars Eller, and Nick Cousins. Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch reported that Staios is seeking a 'home run' trade for a top-six winger, preferably a physical scorer, and also aims to bolster the right side of the defense. Potential trade partners include the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and Calgary Flames, with Flames winger Blake Coleman mentioned as a possible fit.
Despite lacking a 2026 first-round pick and deep prospects, Staios is urged to act while core players like Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, and Batherson remain under contract through 2027-2028. Speculated targets include Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson, Nashville's Jonathan Marchessault or Steven Stamkos, and Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell. However, few teams are selling, and asking prices remain high, potentially delaying moves until the March 6 deadline.
In Vancouver, the Canucks acquired 23-year-old Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks on October 24 for a fourth-round pick. The 2020 17th overall pick has one assist in 13 games and was a healthy scratch against Dallas. With Teddy Blueger and Nils Hoglander returning from injury, Reichel is expected to be the odd man out. Rick Dhaliwal reports the Canucks are open to trading him again.
Forward Kiefer Sherwood, in the final year of his $1.5 million contract, has no extension talks underway. He posted career highs of 19 goals and 40 points last season and is on pace for more with 12 goals and 16 points in 22 games this year. He could become a trade candidate by the deadline if Vancouver's wing depth persists.
The San Jose Sharks, with a 10-8-3 start, remain open to selling. Defensemen Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren, John Klingberg, Vincent Desharnais, and Eddie Leddy are on expiring contracts and trade targets, allowing the team to acquire assets while developing young talent.
