Senators GM confident in roster direction after busy trade week
Steve Staios defends recent moves including Tkachuk trade and new acquisitions, says team is building an identity.
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Steve Staios has a blueprint for success for the Ottawa Senators, and he's confident the team is on track despite a turbulent offseason that saw the departure of captain Brady Tkachuk.
The Senators' president of hockey operations and general manager traded Tkachuk to Florida while acquiring winger William Eklund from San Jose, goalie Samuel Ersson from Philadelphia, and Andre Burakovsky from Chicago. Free agency begins Wednesday.
Staios said the Senators are building an identity similar to Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes—relentless, consistent, and disciplined at both ends of the ice. "They've done a phenomenal job there, through on their identity and how they play," Staios said after the NHL draft wrapped up June 22.
Most of the core roster remains intact, including Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Shane Pinto, Ridly Greif, Drake Batherson, Artem Zub, Tyler Kleven, and top goaltender Linus Ullmark. Though Staios admitted uncertainty about how the group will perform without Tkachuk, he said the team is hungry, committed, and continuing to improve under coach Travis Green.
