Teams Are Taking a Look at Senators Center Stephen Halliday

The Ottawa Senators may not be actively shopping young center Stephen Halliday, but that hasn’t stopped other NHL teams from quietly doing their homework. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, multiple teams have begun asking questions about the 23-year-old, not so much as a headline acquisition, but as a player with intriguing upside and a developing NHL projection.

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As Friedman framed it, Halliday isn’t a big-name prospect drawing league-wide buzz, but rather the type of player teams want to better understand before his value crystallizes. The question isn’t whether Halliday can become a top-line center, but what his ceiling looks like and how he could fit into a middle-six role at the NHL level.

Why Halliday Is Drawing Interest

Halliday’s résumé is quietly impressive. Drafted 104th overall in 2022, he developed at Ohio State before turning pro late in the 2023–24 season. In his first full AHL campaign with Belleville, he posted 19 goals and 51 points, flashing offensive instincts and playmaking awareness. This season, that growth has continued—one goal and 18 assists in 17 AHL games points to a player leaning into a facilitator role who can drive possession.

So far, he hasn’t had many chances in the NHL, just a few games with Ottawa and not much ice time where he could really get his offense going. Even so, teams around the league have noticed him. They like centers who are big, smart, and can play different roles, especially if they can help out skilled wingers or hold down a solid third line.

Halliday’s 23, which is a good age for many teams looking to develop players. He can help out soon, but he’s also young enough to get even better, and he won’t cost a ton against the salary cap.

Which Teams Could Be Interested?

Teams that are weak at the center position would obviously be very interested in Halliday.

Teams that are rebuilding, like Anaheim, San Jose, or Columbus, might see Halliday as a cheap player who can develop with their young players without needing to be a star right away. Getting a center with good AHL stats and potential for the NHL is worth checking out for these teams, especially if he doesn’t cost much.

For teams trying to win, like Colorado, Vegas, or Tampa Bay, Halliday could be a third-line center or a backup who could replace older, pricier players down the road. Teams aiming to win often try to sign players before they get too popular, especially when they don’t have a lot of money to spend.

Teams in the Western Conference that need more balance at the center position, and even teams in the Eastern Conference struggling to make the playoffs, might see Halliday as a safe gamble with some upside in certain situations.

What a Trade Package Could Look Like

Since Halliday hasn’t totally proved himself in the NHL, his trade value is probably okay—not super high, but not nothing, either.

Ottawa could get something like a middle-round draft pick (third or fourth round) and a defensive prospect. Or maybe a young player who’s ready for the NHL now and fills a need. Halliday could also be part of a bigger trade to make the values even when a veteran player is involved.

For the Senators, trading Halliday wouldn’t be like giving him away for cheap. It’d be a way to handle their assets. Ottawa has a ton of young forwards coming up. If they think others have more potential, Halliday might be worth trading for help in other spots, like defense or goalie.

Still, Ottawa doesn’t have to trade him. The fact that other teams are interested shows Halliday’s getting better.

The Bigger Picture

Keep an eye on this situation; a trade might happen. Teams are asking about Stephen Halliday to be ready if something comes up. All this attention means he’s getting noticed. Whether he stays in Ottawa or goes somewhere else depends on what the Senators think about him in the long run.

You know, the biggest trades sometimes start with just a few hushed talks.

Next: Insider Updates the Senators Ready to Take “Big Swing” Rumors