Ottawa hockey fans hoping for one more splash this summer might get their wish. Senators general manager Steve Staios says the door isn't closed on additional off-season moves, even after a busy summer that already brought forwards William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky into the fold.
A Summer of Additions
The Senators' front office has been active since the calendar flipped, working to reshape a forward group that's shown flashes of promise but still lacks a true elite finisher. Eklund and Burakovsky both bring speed, skill, and scoring pedigree, but Staios made clear this week that the search for a bona fide goal scorer isn't over.
"There's still a possibility of a secondary push," Staios said, signaling that management is keeping options open as the roster takes shape ahead of the new season. For a franchise that has spent recent years trying to climb back into playoff contention, adding proven scoring punch remains priority number one.
Why Ottawa Needs a Finisher
Despite the additions, the Senators' core issue in recent seasons has been converting quality chances into goals. Depth and possession numbers have improved, but the team has often lacked that one player capable of consistently burying the puck when it matters. Eklund and Burakovsky add versatility and secondary scoring, but neither profiles as the pure sniper Staios appears to still be hunting.
For Ottawa hockey fans, this is a familiar refrain — the promise of a breakout season hinging on one more move. But after years of rebuilding, there's a sense around the organization that the pieces are closer to falling into place than they've been in a long time.
What It Means for the Season Ahead
With training camp on the horizon, any further moves would need to come together quickly. Staios and the front office will be weighing trade options, free agent depth, and potential call-ups as the roster is finalized. For Senators fans across the capital, the message from management is reassuring: this isn't a roster that's finished being built.
Ottawa's hockey faithful have waited a long time for a team that can go toe-to-toe with the league's best come playoff time. If Staios follows through on that "secondary push," the Sens could be entering the season with real momentum behind them.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
