Conference Rival Unlikely to Bail Out Senators During Trade Hunt

The Ottawa Senators may be forced to dip into the trade market for goaltending depth as Linus Ullmark remains sidelined week-to-week. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, the Senators’ president of hockey operations and general manager, Steve Staios, could already be exploring potential options.

Garrioch notes that while Ullmark’s injury situation creates uncertainty, the Senators may be forced to explore a thin market for available netminders. Names mentioned as potential targets include Anaheim’s John Gibson, Montreal’s Cayden Primeau, and Buffalo’s James Reimer. Garrioch also writes:

“An executive said that the Wings would be willing to move Ville Husso but he carries a $4.75-million cap hit and Detroit isn’t in any mood to help the Senators with both teams battling for the same playoff spot.”

The Senators Need Goaltending Depth If Ullmark Is Out

This is a tough spot for the Senators to be in. They’re still fighting for a spot in the playoff conversation and they want to make a run. But, they have no idea if Ullmark will be back. “The uncertainty with Ullmark won’t help the club’s confidence,” Garrioch notes.

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“There’s not a lot out there,” one NHL executive said. “If you’re a team heading into the second half of the season, and you’re battling for a playoff spot, you’re going to want to have three goalies.” As it stands, the Senators barely have two.

Ullmark’s back issues were not supposed to keep him out this long. If the Senators have any thoughts this issue could linger, or that he’ll be prone to injuries when he does return, they need a Plan B. The trade market may be their only option, and the Senators may either have to overpay or get someone who isn’t the best option.

When it comes to Husso, he may not be Plan A, B, or even C. It doesn’t look like that matters. Don’t expect the Red Wings to bail out the Senators anytime soon.

Next: Pettersson Talks Trade Buzz After Being Called Out by Canucks