Senators GM Steve Staios Trade Deadline Update and More

Rumours abound. Jakob Chychrun is in play with multiple clubs asking on the offensive defenseman who possesses one more season on his contract, containing a $4.5M salary cap hit.

“We’re getting a lot of interest on all of our players really. We have good players. At this time of the year you feel for the players because their names are out there. There’s nothing that we’re actively doing on Jacob Chychrun. But I’ve said this before, if I was on the other end of the line, I’d be certainly inquiring about a player of that caliber,” said Staios.

Per TSN Insider Darren Dreger on TSN1200’s pregame show prior to the Senators’ game in Anaheim, he noted Erik Brannstrom, Mark Kastelic, and Dominik Kubalik are players that could be on the move.

This column touched on these players in a February 18 article.

Brannstrom, a pending restricted free agent is due a $2M qualifying offer which may be too rich for the club. Kastelic has been pushed this season by Rourke Chartier. While Kubalik is a pending UFA currently making $2.5M who has underperformed (nine goals, three assists) since arriving in Ottawa from the Detroit Red Wings in the Alex DeBrincat trade.

Staios and Senators’ senior vice-president of hockey operations Dave Poulin have each indicated in the past a desire to add another veteran or two to one of the youngest teams in the NHL.

“You look at each deal on each player’s contract individually and how it fits in with the Ottawa Senators. And if it’s a dynamic that fits, you know, we’ll take somebody on with term and we’re not opposed to looking at somebody with no term going forward – maybe giving them a spin as well with with our group and see if there’s a fit. So we’re open to a lot of different options,” the Senators GM added.

As for injury updates on d-man Travis Hamonic and centre Josh Norris, Staios provided some insight.

Hamonic is currently rehabbing from a lower-body injury and will return in due time.

The team is still in the learning stages of the severity of Norris’ shoulder injury. The 24 year-old has already undergone two surgeries to his left shoulder.

Staios discussing Norris’ injury. “It’s gonna be a long-term situation with Josh, so but nothing real detailed right now.”

Norris and the club will seek a second opinion, “It was massively important. I think we want to support our players and in all areas, but especially with their health. And, you know, we’ll take the appropriate amount of time and allow him to get all the opinions. We’re extremely confident in our staff, but also the second opinion, tends to confirm what what our doctors are looking at as well. But we encourage that and we we support all our players in that regard.”