Could Senators Be the Solution to Oilers Top-Nine Forward Search?

It’s well known that the Edmonton Oilers’ number one priority ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline is to acquire a top-nine forward, and GM Stan Bowman is willing to wait for more sellers to emerge as that time approaches.

While several potential targets from other teams have been discussed, one squad that hasn’t come up much is the Ottawa Senators, who currently sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

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While making the playoffs remains the goal in the nation’s capital, the path to doing so is tough – MoneyPuck gives them just a 21.3% chance – and GM Steve Staois could be forced into a reality of selling some pieces.

Nothing earth-shattering is expected, but there are three legitimate forwards Bowman could target if the Senators go down that route, so let’s take a closer look.

Drake Batherson

Batherson is an extremely intriguing non-rental option for the Oilers. His $4.975 million salary for the remainder of this season and next is a bargain in today’s rising-cap landscape, and very manageable for Edmonton to take on if they can shed Andrew Mangiapane ($3.6 million) and another smaller contract in the coming weeks.

He would give the Oilers’ heavy left-shot forward group a right-handed, point-producing winger who can also play with physicality when needed. Just imagine how much more a consistent 25-goal, 60+ point player in Ottawa could do alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

The main hurdle is the potential price to acquire Batherson, as Staios isn’t inclined to move him. Any deal would likely require a first-round pick and more, but if Edmonton is going to spend those assets, targeting a true impact player with term makes the most sense.

Fabian Zetterlund

Another non-rental to watch is Zetterlund, who hasn’t quite found his footing in Ottawa since being traded from San Jose at last year’s deadline. His three-year, $4.275 million AAV bridge deal, signed this summer, would allow the Oilers three potential playoff runs with him at a very reasonable cost.

Like Batherson, there’s nothing forcing Staios to trade the Swedish winger, but a strong enough offer from a team like Edmonton could have him consider it, especially given the transition hasn’t been all that smooth.

Zetterlund’s mix of offensive ability — which was on full display with the Sharks — and hard-nosed style could slot anywhere in the Oilers’ top-nine, providing another right-shot option in a group that lacks them.

Claude Giroux

Finally, there’s the pending UFA in Giroux. The veteran remains productive at 38 years old, and if made available, his $2 million salary would draw interest from contenders league-wide.

Whether he’d waive his full no-movement clause is the big question. That said, Giroux left Philadelphia to chase a Stanley Cup in the first place, and he hasn’t had a deep playoff run since making that move, so the desire to win is likely still there. Not to mention, Edmonton was eyeing him when he hit the free agent market back in 2022.

Being a rental in his late thirties, the cost to acquire Giroux would probably be the lowest of the three options. Because of that, he might end up as the most realistic top-nine forward the Oilers could land from Ottawa if they want to avoid spending significant assets.

Next: Can Oilers Win a Bidding War for Coveted Third-Line Center?