Ottawa Senators' Trade Deadline Dilemma

0:00This is Corey with NHL News Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Subscribe for daily updates on your team. The Ottawa Senators head into the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline in a tough spot. There are only five points from a wildcard playoff birth in the Eastern Conference, but four teams sit ahead, most with games in hand. A big recent win over the Toronto Maple Leafs has sparked some hope for a late push. At the center of it all is Captain Brady Tika Chuck, with just two seasons left on his deal. Keeping him means proving the team can compete now, or he might look elsewhere when it expires. Management faces a choice, sell off contracts for the future, or buy modestly for a playoff shot next year. Tika Chuck has shut down any talk of leaving, saying he believes in the group and wants to win here. Rumors linger partly because his brother Matthew, bailed on Calgary for a better chance at success. The outsiders like Elliott Friedman put the odds of him going at 0%. Analytics site MoneyPuck gives Ottawa a 41% chance to make the playoffs, ahead of teams

1:04like the capitals and flyers. The general manager insists they're better than their record shows, hampered by injuries to key players and goalie inconsistencies. With $12 million in cap space, they could target a scoring winger or top defenseman. The push is on to get aggressive, trading future assets for when now help to lock in their core and finally break through. D&N is brought to you by our sponsor link in the description. Do not just fall asleep, drift into what you are listening to, solypello.com.