The NHL and its increased level of parity has created a big conundrum for most NHL Teams - so many buyers, so few sellers.
With the trade deadline a month from today, there are only 5 teams 10 points or more out of a playoff spot - Buffalo, Toronto, Columbus, Calgary and Edmonton.
While those teams aren't eliminated quite yet, and the Senators proved last year that anything is possible, that is sort of the line that I would draw when determining who is going to be willing to unload some players in return for draft picks.
Looking at those clubs as well as some pending UFA's that teams may be willing to part with, the pickings are slim for those who might be looking to add a piece or two for a potential playoff run.
The Senators would fall into the category of a team that might be looking to add a piece or two, but can't really afford to give up much from their system (and none of their core) to make a bigger deal. So there will be no Steven Stamkos, Andrew Ladd or Dustin Byfuglien sightings.
There is also the trend that teams won't wait until the deadline to make a deal, and this is about the time last year where the action started happening and teams that were talking didn't feel like waiting until the deadline to pull the trigger.
There is no doubt that the Senators, whether they admit it or not, have to be looking to add a defenseman who can play 18-20 minutes as well as a forward who can play in the top 6 every night and contribute offensively.
The Senators will also not be alone in the search, which combined with the lack of sellers will drive the price up.
I looked around the rosters and came up with a few names that are likely to move or have been in rumors, could help the Senators, and wouldn't likely cost an arm and a leg:
Jiri Hudler, CGY - 32 year old UFA with a cap hit of $4M. After a career year last season, Hudler has taken a step back and has also had some injury troubles, but could fill the 2nd line for the Senators.
Kris Russell, CGY - 28 year old UFA with a cap hit of $2.6M. Allegedly someone Murray has had his eye on, and he averages 22+ minutes per game with the Flames. The pending suspension to Dennis Wideman that could be 10 games or more might make the Flames wait on dealing Russell.
Loui Eriksson, BOS - 30 year old UFA with cap hit of $4.25M. The Bruins are a playoff team but are not likely to be able to re-sign the winger, which means he will probably be moved so they can get something back. Probably even more of a pipe dream that others on the list that the Bruins would deal him to a divisional rival, but might be the best addition the Sens could make that would be in their price range.
Dan Boyle, NYR - 39 year old UFA with a cap hit of $$4.5M. Boyle is an Ottawa native who is at the tail end of his career and could be a stop-gap for the Senators, but the question is if the Rangers hang onto him for what they hope is a long playoff run. I was never an advocate of bringing him in when it was suggested over the past couple of years given the term, but he is a left-handed shot with experience and an expiring contract that could really benefit the Senators in the short term.
Jamie McGinn, BUF - 27 year of UFA with cap hit of $2.95M - Former Ottawa 67's winger has found a spot in Buffalo's top for the moment and done fairly well. A fringe top-6 who can fit the bill for a time, but not one that you could cement in the first two lines.
And then there are the handful of Toronto Maple Leafs - P.A. Parenteau Michael Grabner, Brad Boyes, Shawn Matthias, Roman Polack among them who were basically signed for the expressed reason of dumping for draft picks at the trade deadline. Of the bunch Parenteau would have the most to bring for the Senators and although he has underachieved in Toronto offensively, Grabner has speed to burn and has been an excellent penalty killer, which the Senators desperately need.
This isn't by any means an exhaustive list, because so many teams are still in the hunt, but just a little food for thought about what might be out there and advice that expectations for a block-buster might be tempered a bit as the Senators aren't prone to that very often at the deadline.
It might end up being more of an addition by subtraction thing if a landing spot could be found for the likes of Jared Cowen, Patrick Wiercioch and/or Colin Greening the Senators would basically give most of them away and make room for an upgraded addition.