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Senators rumors: Why Ottawa doesn’t want to ‘dismantle’ core at trade deadline
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- Senators rumors: Why Ottawa doesn’t want to ‘dismantle’ core at trade deadline
Senators rumors: Why Ottawa doesn't want to 'dismantle' core at trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The NHL Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching, and the Ottawa Senators currently find themselves six points out of a playoff spot. After making the playoffs last season, for the first time since 2016-17, the Senators seemed likely to make some moves to either bolster their roster or retool.
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Now, it is being reported that there is some hesitancy to make a major play that could break up their core , according to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman on an appearance on NHL Network.
"I think they talked about Weegar , I think they talked about Robert Thomas . The one thing I really feel strongly about Ottawa though is that they feel their goaltending let them down," Friedman said on NHL Network. "They are a better team than they've showed this year but their goaltending wasn't every good and as a result I don't think they want to dismantle their team unless it is for a very good reason."
Goaltending has been a major issue for the Senators this season. They are 23rd in goals-against average, but sit last in the NHL in save percentage this season. Linus Ullmark missed time this year, tending to his own self-care. When he has been in the net, the goaltender has been solid, with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage. The rest of the goaltending crew has struggled, though, leading to the situation they are in.
The Senators also have a strong young core to work with. At forward, Tim Stutzle , Brady Tkachuk , Dylan Cozens , Drake Baterson, Shane Pinto , and Fabian Zetterlund are all 27 years old or younger, while also under contract for 2026-27 or beyond. They also have Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven on defense in the same situation.
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While the Senators may be kicking the tires on some other players, it seems they will not be making a major move that could cause the dismantling of that core group of players.
For all the NHL Trade Deadline reporting , stick with ClutchPoints as stories break and develop.
