Ottawa Senators Need to Address Key Contracts for the Current and Upcoming Seasons

Ian Mendes of The Athletic reports that the Ottawa Senators are currently focused on finalizing a contract for Shane Pinto. General Manager Steve Staois expressed optimism on December 31st about navigating the complexities of the salary cap while securing a deal. He emphasized, “It’s challenging, but I’m confident that we can get it done. The situation we’ve inherited is not ideal, but I’m sure we’ll manage to find a resolution.” This indicates the team’s proactive approach to roster management as they prepare for the second half of the season.

Shane Pinto is expected to be eligible to return from his suspension on January 21st, and his performance will be crucial as the Senators aim to strengthen their roster.

NHL Rumors: Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames

If the Senators find themselves out of the playoff race, they might consider trading valuable assets like Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik, who are set to become unrestricted free agents. Additionally, defenseman Jakob Chychrun and forward Claude Giroux are up for contract extensions after July 1st. If Chychrun indicates a desire to explore free agency following the season, the Senators may need to entertain trade offers. Currently, the team has two defensemen—Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson—earning $8 million each, necessitating strategic financial planning to accommodate Chychrun’s potential contract.

Furthermore, Thomas Chabot’s 10-team no-trade clause will go into effect on July 1st, complicating any potential moves, as he will be owed $10 million for each of the final three years of his contract.

Maple Leafs Should Focus on Strengthening Defense and Depth Forward Options

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun notes that Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving has successfully negotiated contracts for star players Auston Matthews and William Nylander, but his work is far from complete. As the trade deadline approaches, Treliving is keen to enhance the team’s roster while proceeding with caution to avoid major disruptions. He mentioned, “You have to be careful on trade deadline. We’ll continue to assess our team, but I’m not a big believer in completely remaking your roster. Sure, there are tweaks we’d like to make, but we have valuable assets that we don’t want to part with unnecessarily.”

NHL Rumors: The Toronto Maple Leafs Must Prioritize Defenseman Over Goaltender

The Maple Leafs are actively looking to bolster their blue line, and there may be opportunities to add a depth forward or two. However, acquiring a goaltender should not be at the top of their priority list, as their current focus is on enhancing defensive capabilities to support their playoff ambitions.