Staios told Postmedia on Friday morning that there is a lot of conversation going on at the moment, just before he started the annual Senators’ Alumni event at the Loch March Golf and Country Club.
Staios acknowledged trade conversations have heated up after he initiated the first discussions with other general managers attending last week’s NHL combine to test top prospects in Buffalo. The National Hockey League draft is scheduled for June 28–29 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
It’s been hectic, Staios remarked. “You know what happens: you go to the combine, you spend time getting to know guys and interviewing athletes in order to get ready for the draft, but there are managers there, so you spend a lot of time exchanging ideas.Staios is not the kind to divulge specifics or reveal his plans, but we’ve worked with him long enough to know that. Nevertheless, the Senators have been connected to almost every player available in one way or another.
The Senators need to do better on the net. Staios has reportedly been “aggressive” in his pursuit of Calgary goalie Jacob Markstrom, according to Postmedia. He has also put a lot of pressure on Boston’s Linus Ullmark and kicked the tyres of Nashville’s Juuse Saros.
To see whether the solutions can be found within, Staios hasn’t ruled out the prospect of bringing back both Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg. Though it seems improbable, that is a possibility.
Staios stated, “Both goalies have the ability to play better.” “We are all accountable for the way we performed in front of them. The final line of defence is them. They are undoubtedly true professionals, and their remarks following the season indicated that they realised they could do better. That’s the optimistic view.
With restricted free agent qualifying offers due on June 30 and unrestricted free agency opening at noon on Canada Day, the NHL calendar is about to reach a critical phase.
Talks are being held, according to Staios, with the club’s RFAs. The team is attempting to sign centre Shane Pinto to a long-term contract, but there is reportedly still a gap that needs to be filled before a contract can be finalised. In NHL circles, there is conversation. The team representing Pinto is seeking a five- or six-year contract worth almost $5 million a season.
Parker Kelly, a tough winger, had to sign a contract with the team as well because, while interim coach Jacques Martin was in charge, Kelly became a valuable addition.
Erik Brannstrom, an RFA defenseman, needs to make a choice and might not receive a qualifying offer at the $2 million he earned the previous season. If he’s prepared to take a pay reduction, there’s a chance the Senators will bring him back at a reduced cost.
The Senators are listening intently and considering all of their possibilities, but they are unwilling to make a trade for the sake of making a deal. The team is aware that its supporters are eager for them to succeed.
Michael Andlauer, the owner of the Senators, told this publication, “You have no idea how hard Steve and his team are working and trying to make it better.” You must not hurry. I am aware that we’re a restless bunch. Ultimately, you must do the task correctly.
Instead of focusing on the here and now, I am considering sustainability in the long run. Steve is aware of that. In order to lay a solid foundation and have a team around him who could assist him as he progressed, he needed to do so. We are in that location.
I’m looking forward to the upcoming weeks,” Andlauer remarked. They are working so hard. At 11 p.m. on Thursday, I received a call, and at 6 a.m. today, when we are taking off (for Ottawa), Steve received a tonne of texts from other general managers asking him to “please give me a call.”
