Ottawa Senators Rumors: Staios “Working the Phones” for an Impact Player as Team Surges

0 Diana khan November 15, 2025

If you’re looking at the Ottawa Senators’ recent record, you see a team that has finally turned the corner. Sitting at 9-5-4, good for second in the brutal Atlantic Division, and with only one regulation loss in their last ten games, the vibes in the Canadian Tire Centre are immaculate. The young core is firing, the defense looks structured, and the goaltending is solid.

So why is General Manager Steve Staios already burning up the phone lines?

This is the difference between a “good” team and a “contending” team. Staios isn’t panicking; he’s capitalizing. He knows that a hot start is a terrible thing to waste. The mandate in Ottawa is no longer to just “be in the hunt.” The goal, as stated, is to get past the first round of the playoffs, and Staios knows his current roster, while impressive, might be one “impact player” short of that goal.

What Kind of “Impact Player” Are the Senators Targeting?

“Impact player” is a broad term, but in this context, it means a veteran with playoff pedigree. It’s no secret that the Senators’ main rivals in the Atlantic—Tampa, Florida, and Toronto—are loaded with experienced, battle-hardened talent. Staios is looking for a piece that not only adds to the scoresheet but also stabilizes the room and shows the young guns like Stützle, Tkachuk, and Sanderson what it takes to win when it matters.

This is where the rumors connecting them to the Nashville Predators get fascinating. Rumors suggest Nashville, who are struggling, might be willing to listen on veteran forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.

Let’s be clear: acquiring either player would be a seismic shift. Both are Stanley Cup champions. Stamkos, though 35, still possesses one of the most lethal one-timers in NHL history and would instantly transform Ottawa’s power play from good to terrifying. Marchessault, a former Conn Smythe winner, is the exact kind of tenacious, high-energy playoff performer that championship teams are built on.

The Nashville Connection: What’s the Cost?

Landing a player of this magnitude is, as insider Bruce Garioch notes, “easier said than done” in November. The price would be steep, and Nashville isn’t just giving them away.

This brings us to the Senators’ other piece of business: the rights to Alex Formenton. The Senators are actively trying to trade his rights. While Formenton’s situation is complex, his rights as an asset hold minimal value on their own. They certainly aren’t the centerpiece in a deal for a player like Stamkos. More likely, Staios is trying to move Formenton’s rights in a separate deal to acquire a draft pick or clear a contract slot, adding to his war chest for a real impact trade.

My read on the situation? Staios is doing his due diligence. He’s building a package and waiting for the right moment. The Ottawa Senators are in a position of strength, and adding a true, proven winner could be the final piece of the puzzle to make them a legitimate threat in the East.