Sens Looking to Strengthen the Back End
Ottawa's front office is reportedly unsatisfied with the current right-side defensive depth as the Senators look to push deeper into playoff contention next season. According to NHL rumours circulating this week, the organization wants an upgrade over Jordan Spence — the young rearguard who has shown flashes of offensive upside but has yet to lock down a top-four role.
Spence, 23, was acquired by Ottawa as part of the Matthew Murray trade with the Los Angeles Kings back in 2023. He skated in a limited capacity with the big club last season and has drawn interest as a developing piece, but it appears management isn't banking on him as a long-term solution on the right side.
What the Senators Need
Ottawa's defensive corps has been a work in progress for years. The Senators boast left-shot talent with Jakob Chychrun and Thomas Chabot anchoring the top pairing, but a reliable right-shot partner capable of logging big minutes has been harder to pin down.
General Manager Steve Staios has been aggressive since taking over the role, and this latest chatter suggests the Senators aren't content to stand pat heading into what many around the league expect to be a pivotal offseason for the franchise. With Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Drake Batherson driving the forward group, the window to compete is clearly open — the blue line needs to catch up.
Spence's Uncertain Future in Ottawa
None of this necessarily means Spence is on his way out of the nation's capital. He could still figure into the organization's long-term plans, whether as a third-pair contributor or as a trade chip to help bring in a more established defender. His skating and puck-moving ability are legitimate assets — it's more a question of ceiling and timeline than of talent.
But the message from the Sens' front office seems clear: if the right opportunity presents itself to bring in a proven, top-four right-shot defenceman, Ottawa will pursue it aggressively.
A Fanbase Ready to Believe
After years of rebuilding, Ottawa fans are hungry. The Canadian Tire Centre crowd has been electrifying on big nights, and there's a real sense in the city that a deep playoff run is within reach — if management can fill the right gaps. A bonafide shutdown or offensive defenceman on the right side could be exactly the move that turns a promising team into a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference.
Expect Staios to be active this summer. The Senators have the assets and the cap space to make a splash, and if the rumours hold, the right side of the blue line is squarely in their sights.
Source: NHLRumors.com via Google News
