Could More Moves Be in Store for the Ottawa Senators?

Jakob Chychrun and Erik Brannstrom Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

The Ottawa Senators made one of this off-season's biggest moves by acquiring goaltender Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. Adding the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner provides a big boost between the pipes for next season.

GM Steve Staios could have other moves in store as he attempts to turn the Senators into a playoff contender.

Jakob Chychrun's been the subject of trade speculation for months. The 26-year-old defenseman has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.6 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

The Senators have left-shot blueliners Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson under expensive long-term contracts. That leaves Chychrun as the odd man out.

Following the Ullmark trade, Tim Baines of the Ottawa Sun speculated that Chychrun might be the next player heading out of Ottawa. The Senators could carry Chychrun on their roster for 2024-25 and attempt to move him at the trade deadline, but Baines thinks that's unlikely.

Baines also didn't believe the Senators would re-sign Chychrun and trade Chabot, whose modified no-trade clause begins on July 1. On Wednesday, Senators GM Steve Staios dismissed a rumor that Chabot was on the trade block.

“Not sure where that comes from,” Staios told reporters. “It hasn't been talked about once.”

Baines noted there are rumors the Senators have the framework of a deal in place with the Philadelphia Flyers that could take place by the opening round of the draft. He wondered if Chychrun might be part of it.

The Hockey News' Sam Stockton noted a recent Postmedia report claiming the Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings were linked to Chychrun. Stockton pointed out that the Wings shipped defenseman Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks for future considerations, freeing up $3.4 million in cap space.

Chychrun isn't the only Senators defenseman on the trade block. Postmedia reports a decision will have to be made whether to qualify Erik Brannstrom's rights before June 30. Meanwhile, Steve Warne listed Brannstrom and Chychrun along with winger Mathieu Joseph as some Senators who could have played their last game with Ottawa.

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