A Division Rival Is Reportedly Preparing a Major Trade, Should the Maple Leafs Be Worried?
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs face an intense battle as one rival is looking to improve their roster with a top talent according to one NHL insider.
The Ottawa Senators are reportedly looking to add some additional talent to their roster, and are seeking more help in terms of a trade, according to Chris Johnston of TSN.
On the Chris Johnston Show, the insider said that the Ottawa Senators would like to make «bigger acquisitions» and that they'd like to make a move, but the state of the market may not have any deal come along right away.
I think that the Sens as an organization would like to look at maybe some bigger acquisitions in time this season; I think that they'd like to look at taking swing at some point; but the trade market's still pretty frozen
For Ottawa, it represents a growing arms race apparent to be going between the Atlantic Division teams early in the season, preparing for what is shaping up to be an intense battle for supremacy in a tight division.
Toronto Maple Leafs Facing Potentially Tougher Atlantic
The Toronto Maple Leafs are up against a tough Ottawa Senators team looking for further success, along with multiple teams in the Atlantic trying to get better.
The Senators are currently last in the division with a 2-4-0 record in six games, but points wise are tied for sixth with Buffalo and Tampa Bay, two teams that could add as well.
In fifth are the Florida Panthers, to whom they face the challenge of starting their season without their two top stars in Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov due to injuries, positioning the Panthers to be serious contenders to add a top talent.
A surprise leader in the division, the Detroit Red Wings are a team that has undergone a major boost due to their young talent, and could be poised to add some veteran experience, especially a player who can impact their top-six.
Toronto themselves are a team that could still use some top-six help, and appear not out of the possibility. One name who could be of interest that has been discussed is Buffalo's Alex Tuch, with the Sabres not close in extension talks.
Who Might The Ottawa Senators Be Targeting
The Ottawa Senators have a few areas that they could target, although the team overall has built a clear foundation that may not be their focus.
With Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson currently both injured, the Senators have a clear need at the wing that they could use in terms of a trade.
Both players should be back by the time the trade market begins to open up, but either way is an area worth looking into.
Ottawa may be looking at a bottom-six support player on the wing, a player who could slot into the top-six if needed.
For the Senators, the biggest roster need is on their blueline. Ottawa has a strong top-four in Jake Sanderson, Artyom Zub, Thomas Chabot, and Nick Jensen, but below that have had a rotating cast of players they need the piece for.
On the second pair at RHD, the Senators could look for an upgrade on Nick Jensen, but as well on the left side an addition could work out.
Ottawa may want a short-term righty to be the answer this year while they wait for top prospect Carter Yakemchuk to be NHL ready.
The trade deadline could be an intense fight between multiple teams in the Atlantic for superiority in what has been an incredibly close battle for help closer to the playoffs.
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