Eight potential Senators trade targets: What’s next with Brady Tkachuk gone?

OTTAWA — Seconds after Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios was asked about opposing teams’ interests in his two new first-round picks, his phone went off.

Staios was speaking at a news conference inside Canadian Tire Centre, less than 24 hours after trading the team’s captain at his request. The Senators received three first-round picks and a future second-round pick from the Florida Panthers in return for Brady Tkachuk, leaving some observers confused about the team’s future intentions. But, as Staios’ active phone indicated, those draft picks could soon be flipped for assets to help his team now.

“It’s been robust since the deal happened,” Staios said of his post-trade communication with rival executives. “This team is moving in the right direction. I have no intention of this team taking a step back. We’re active, and we’re open.”

So, what’s next for the Senators? Which players could they target with the picks they’ve acquired? And if the Senators really want to go all out, could they even tender an offer sheet thanks to the new cap space — over $25 million, according to PuckPedia — they’ve accumulated as a result?

But not every player available might be willing to come to Ottawa, and that’s a hurdle worth looking into with some potential trade targets. Here are eight who make some measure of sense for Staios and the Senators in their post-Tkachuk era.

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Mason McTavish

Age: 23

Team: Anaheim Ducks

Position: C 

Shoots: Left 

2025-26 statistics: 17 goals, 41 points, 75 GP

Contract: 6 years, $42 million ($7 million cap hit, UFA 2031) 

McTavish, who grew up in Carp, Ont., has been the subject of trade speculation since last summer, when he was figuring out a new contract. Despite ultimately signing a six-year deal, he appears to be an option for teams on the trade market. Offensively, McTavish’s ability to produce in high-danger areas could make him appealing. However, there are questions about his foot speed and work away from the puck. If the Ducks were willing to move him, McTavish has no trade protection on his contract and would be leaned upon as a top-six winger in Ottawa.

Jordan Kyrou

Age: 28

Team: St. Louis Blues 

Position: RW

Shoots: R

2025-26 statistics: 18 goals, 46 points, 72 GP

Contract: 8 years, $65 million ($8.1 million cap hit, UFA 2031) 

A three-time 30-goal scorer whom the Sens would count on to return to form, Kyrou would find no better place to try than on Tim Stützle’s wing. His pace and vision would be seen as incredible assets on an Ottawa team that could use an injection of offence. However, it remains to be seen whether Kyrou would waive his no-trade clause to come to Canada, which could be a big hold-up for all parties involved. Also, what’s his role on a Blues team that seems to be interested in retooling rather than a full-scale rebuild?

Jason Robertson

Age: 26

Team: Dallas Stars

Position: LW/RW

Shoots: L

2025-26 statistics: 45 goals, 96 points, 82 GP

Contract: RFA 2026 (arbitration-eligible) 

One of the NHL’s best offensive weapons is a restricted free agent this summer, a three-time 40-goal scorer and one-time 100-point-getter. The Stars have work to do to keep him under contract with limited cap space, and he’s also arbitration-eligible. Robertson has been a popular Senators trade target among fans for some time. However, according to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, Robertson might not want to commit long-term to Ottawa. So, even if the Senators put together a competitive offer to acquire him, there’s no guarantee he’d want to stick around.

Pavel Dorofeyev

Age: 25

Team: Vegas Golden Knights

Position: LW/RW

Shoots: L

2025-26 statistics: 37 goals, 64 points, 82 GP

Contract: RFA 2026 (arbitration-eligible) 

The Golden Knights are another team with a prominent, arbitration-eligible restricted free agent to sign and limited cap space to conduct their business. The Russian is coming off back-to-back 30-goal seasons and added 12 goals in the 2026 playoffs, making him a prime offer-sheet candidate for NHL teams. The Senators’ ears should be perked up for the 25-year-old’s availability, whether through an offer sheet or a trade.

JJ Peterka

Age: 24

Team: Utah Mammoth

Position: RW

Shoots: L

2025-26 statistics: 25 goals, 47 points, 82 GP

Contract: 5 years, $38.5 million ($7.7 million cap hit, UFA 2030)

Peterka had modest numbers in his first season with the Mammoth; his point total fell to 47 (from a career-best 68 in 2024-25 with the Buffalo Sabres). To make matters worse, he was a non-factor in the playoffs, failing to record a point in six games, and even got benched partway through Game 4 of the Mammoth’s first-round series against Vegas. Depending on how the Mammoth view their promising offensive prospects — and Peterka, in contrast — there’s maybe a world in which the Senators could buy low on the German forward and add him to their top six.

Jake DeBrusk

Age: 29

Team: Vancouver Canucks

Position: LW/RW

Shoots: L

2025-26 statistics: 23 goals, 42 points, 81 GP

Contract: 7 years, $38.5 million ($5.5 million cap hit, UFA 2031)

DeBrusk is a winger with pace and goal-scoring ability, though he shouldn’t be viewed as an everyday top-line winger. He should be seen as an addition who can strengthen the Senators’ wing position, not as their marquee addition of the offseason. Should DeBrusk be willing to move his no-move clause to come to Ottawa, it could be worth considering if the asking price isn’t too exorbitant. But he has to be willing to move on from Vancouver, of course.

Alexis Lafrenière

Age: 24 

Team: New York Rangers

Position: LW/RW

Shoots: L

2025-26 statistics: 24 goals, 57 points, 82 GP

Contract: 7 years, $52.15 million ($7.45 million cap hit, UFA 2032)

The No. 1 pick from 2020 hasn’t exactly lit the world aflame since his draft year. It’s been suggested that a change of environment could help the 24-year-old, and Ottawa is a city that would welcome his ability to score 20 goals a season. Lafrenière doesn’t have trade protection on his contract until 2027, but he’s still a young forward whom the Rangers likely wouldn’t let go cheaply. It might be worth giving Rangers GM Chris Drury a call.

Rasmus Ristolainen

Age: 31

Team: Philadelphia Flyers

Position: Defence

Shoots: R

2025-26 statistics: 1 goal, 14 points, 44 GP

Contract: 5 years, $25.50 million ($5.1 million cap hit, UFA 2027)

Only one defenceman made our list, and that’s Ristolainen, whose profile fits exactly what the Senators could use in their top four D. Ristolainen is a mobile, physical defender whose attributes have value on a Sens team that needs size on the back end and doesn’t have to rush Carter Yakemchuk into their lineup unless he’s ready to play. The biggest hold-up is the asking price. At this season’s trade deadline, the Flyers reportedly asked for a first-rounder and a prospect. Would the Sens want Ristolainen at that price? The Blues’ Colton Parayko could’ve been added to this list, but we’re not as confident he would waive his no-move to come to Ottawa.