Steve Staios and the Ottawa Senators’ Offseason Moves
During the 2024 summer offseason, Steve Staios left an indelible mark on the Ottawa Senators as their newly appointed general manager. A major cornerstone of his strategy involved securing goaltending by acquiring Linus Ullmark, the previous season’s Vezina Trophy winner. Staios also infused the roster with experienced firepower, bringing in three veteran forwards—Michael Amadio, Nick Cousins, and David Perron—who collectively hold Stanley Cup accolades and a wealth of experience.
Strengthening the Defense
In addition to bolstering the offense and goalkeeping, Staios aimed to fortify the defensive lineup. The Senators possessed an abundance of offensive-minded defensemen on the left side, such as Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, but lacked the presence of sturdy, defense-oriented players. To address this imbalance, Staios opted to trade away Jakob Chychrun to the Washington Capitals, securing defenseman Nick Jensen and a third-round draft pick in return.
While Jensen offered a solid defensive presence, his effectiveness was compromised following hip resurfacing surgery last May. As a result, management is hesitant to extend his contract, potentially allowing him to enter free agency this summer.
Current Defensive Pairings and Future Prospects
As the Senators look to bolster their blue line further, Jordan Spence appears ready to step into a full-time role while Carter Yakemchuk nears readiness. This development has exacerbated the existing imbalance on defense. The current pairing structure looks like this:
- Sanderson paired with Zub
- Chabot alongside Spence
- Kleven team up with either Yakemchuk or Matinpalo
While each defenseman contributes positively to the squad, there’s a noticeable craving for a more defined shutdown presence—someone who is unafraid to engage physically.
Rasmus Ristolainen: A Potential Solution
In this context, Rasmus Ristolainen emerges as a potential solution. TSN insider Darren Dreger revealed that significant trade talks were underway between the Senators and the Philadelphia Flyers regarding Ristolainen just before the March trade deadline. According to Dreger, negotiations were advanced but ultimately faltered, primarily because the Flyers recognized Ristolainen’s value as their performance improved toward the season’s end.
Ristolainen, a large physical presence on the blue line, would provide the toughness and reliability that the Senators are seeking. If acquired, the revised defensive pairings could optimally transform to:
- Sanderson with Ristolainen
- Chabot partnering with Zub
- Kleven together with Spence
- Matinpalo rounding out the lineup
Despite the potential benefits, concerns linger regarding Ristolainen’s durability. Having previously played seven consecutive seasons without major injuries, he has faced challenges over the last three years in Philadelphia, suffering from multiple injuries, including ruptured triceps tendons, limiting his games to 31, 63, and 44 respectively.
Financial Considerations and Future Discussions
Fortunately, Ristolainen has recently indicated that he feels recovered, expressing relief about finally having a typical offseason free from rehabilitation.
“Yes, thank God. It’s the first normal, somewhat normal offseason in four years, so I’m kind of excited about that, not needing to worry about rehabbing,”
he stated during his year-end press conference.
However, the financial aspects of this potential trade cannot be overlooked. Ristolainen’s current contract is valued at $5.1 million per season, and he is poised to seek a substantial increase as he approaches unrestricted free agency in 2027. Additionally, the Senators would need to negotiate valuable trade compensation with the Flyers for a player who has recently played crucial minutes in the playoffs.
Flyers GM Daniel Briere has openly acknowledged the influx of trade inquiries regarding Ristolainen but has stated clearly that the franchise is not looking to part ways with such a valuable asset without appropriate compensation. Considering that the Flyers have recently found their footing by reaching the playoffs and performing admirably, the chances of him being moved at a lower cost are slim.
With the stakes rising and the Senators keen on properly rounding out their defense, Staios is likely to reinitiate discussions this summer, albeit with the knowledge that the asking price may have increased significantly.
As Ottawa continues their quest for defensive stability, eyes will closely observe the developments regarding Ristolainen and how Staios navigates this offseason market.
