Senators Know What Jordan Spence Is, Might Trade Him Anyway

Jordan Spence had a good season. Maybe it wasn’t a great one. Perhaps it wasn’t what the Ottawa Senators expected when they acquired him. Still, by most objective measures, he was solid. The 25-year-old right-shot defenceman quietly established himself as one of Ottawa’s more reliable offensive contributors from the blue line, doing exactly what his skating and puck-moving instincts suggested he could when the Senators picked him up for a 2025 third-round draft pick.

---

And Ottawa might trade him anyway.

According to DFO Rundown’s Irfaan Gaffar and David Pagnotta, the Senators have identified upgrading the right side of their defense as their top offseason priority — and would have no problem moving Spence to make it happen.

Spence isn’t necessarily being shopped because he was a flop. He’s being considered as a trade piece because the organization isn’t entirely convinced he’s the long-term answer. They question whether his value as a young, cost-controlled asset is high enough to invest in him. If not, he could be the engine of a deal that brings back something significantly bigger.

Is Size Jordan Spence’s Biggest Hurdle?

The argument against Spence is one that will follow him for his entire career, regardless of what he produces: he’s 5’10” and listed at 188 pounds. In the regular season, that’s not the end of the world. In the playoffs, where the physicality picks up, and the Senators want to take another step, a player of his size may not be able to consistently hold his ground against the heaviest forwards in the game. Or, at least, that’s the belief.

Spence is the kind of player who could prove that narrative outdated. He could be the exception, not the norm. His skating is excellent. He’s got solid hockey sense. His offensive instincts make him a weapon. If the argument against him is purely physical, the Senators might be making a mistake by trying to move on.

Then again, the Senators have genuine Stanley Cup ambitions built around Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and a core that’s slowly making progress. When that contender window opens, they want to be ready with a defense corps capable of handling the moment. That’s why they’re looking for an obvious upgrade and seem willing to move Spence if they find it.

Would the Senators be Better Off Waiting?

Spence is under team control and is clearly capable of producing at the NHL level. The Senators would be taking a risk if they don’t land someone who checks those boxes and more. He’s not a star, but it’s fair to argue Ottawa needs to hit more than a single to justify parting with Spence. That player exists, but he’s not cheap, and he’s not easy to find.

The smarter play may be patience. Run Spence back, see what he does with another year of development and playoff experience, and revisit the question with more information. If he proves the doubters wrong, the problem solves itself. If the doubts are confirmed, he’ll still have value, and the right upgrade may be easier to identify.

Ottawa knows exactly what Jordan Spence is. The harder question is whether they trust what he could still become.

Next: What a Brady Tkachuk Move to Florida Might Actually Look Like