Senators News & Rumours: Karlsson Reunion, McTavish, Robertson & DeBrusk

Looking for all of the latest rumours surrounding the Ottawa Senators can be a bit overwhelming right now. With plenty of insiders suggesting the Senators are in on nearly everybody. In today’s rumour roundup, we will look at the reports on an Erik Karlsson reunion, a Mason McTavish trade, and the likelihood of landing Jason Robertson or Jake DeBrusk.

The Senators have a first-round pick in play, which they would like to use before tomorrow’s draft. The time crunch is on for general manager Steve Staios.

Erik Karlsson Reunion Almost Happened – Still Possible

According to a report from Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, the Senators pushed hard to bring Karlsson back in 2022, before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. (from ‘Ottawa Senators fans still want EK65 to come ‘home’, and back in 2022 he almost did’, Ottawa Sun, June 24, 2026)

In this report, Garrioch stated that the Senators were getting a lot of the work done to get a deal, but asked the players about it before moving forward. The consensus in the room was that it wasn’t the best idea, considering the former captain has a big presence in the locker room and could undermine Brady Tkachuk, who had been recently named captain.

I’m not sure if, four years later, this is the way people expected things to go.

Now the Senators are without Tkachuk and have been reportedly looking for a top-four right-shot defenseman. How fun would it be to see Karlsson and Jake Sanderson lined up together?

There are a few problems with that, though.

First of all, the Penguins do not want to move Karlsson. He posted 66 points last season, en route to a surprising playoff spot. The Penguins are still looking to improve, and keeping Karlsson is a part of that plan. At a $10 million cap hit for one more season, the return for him would likely be below what his impact makes on the Penguins.

The second problem for the Senators is indeed that $10 million cap hit. Sure, they have that space now, but they are also looking to bring in two more top-six wingers to play with Dylan Cozens on the second line. They needed them before Tkachuk was traded, and then needed three.

With Karlsson having just one year left under contract and turning 37 before next offseason, that could be the prime time to bring him back, but not right now, and apparently not in 2022, either.

Senators Still Prioritizing Mason McTavish

Players and teams are always connected during the trade frenzy season, but there haven’t been many situations as apparent as McTavish and the Senators beign connected.

Garrioch has mentioned it multiple times, Nick Kypreos has as well, and many others. There is certainly smoke behind McTavish to Ottawa, but why?

It is clear that whoever the Senators bring in for the forward group is going to be a top-six impact player, or at least someone they believe can be that.

McTavish spent parts of last season and the playoffs as a healthy scratch. The relationship between him and the team had been tarnished, and now they are looking to move him. After posting 41 points in 75 games, plus another six points in the playoffs.

McTavish is still just 23 years old, and has 212 NHL points under his belt. There is some legitimate upside with him, and for many 23-year-olds, that is a phenomenal start to their career.

The biggest question about a McTavish acquisition isn’t about the upside, it is about the fit. McTavish is a centre, and the Senators already have an elite trio of Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto. Additionally, Ridly Greig plays well as a centre, but has been forced to the wing because of their depth.

If the Senators brought in McTavish or another centre, they could look at moving either the newly-acquired player to the wing, or Cozens could be an option too.

At the 2026 World Championship, Cozens played very well on the wing with some superstar-calibre players, and frankly, played some of his best hockey.

If the Senators are going to bring in another centre, they need to make sure that they can shift one to the wing without compromising their elite centre depth or causing problems.

Robertson Deal Unlikely – Not Looking to Sign in Ottawa

One trade that always kind of made sense, even before Tkachuk’s departure, was acquiring Robertson. He needs a new deal, the Senators have money, the Dallas Stars don’t. The Senators need a superstar. It was a match made in heaven.

Chris Johnston shattered that dream on an episode of The Chris Johnston Show, stating that Robertson doesn’t want to sign long-term in Ottawa.

To be frank, that is where this conversation ends. With the recent memories of Tkachuk, as well as Alex DeBrincat, the Senators need to be careful who they try to commit to. The one thing the Senators can’t do is let another DeBrincat situation happen.

Jake DeBrusk is a Sensible Target for Senators

Since opting to head for a rebuild, the Vancouver Canucks have had some unhappy players. DeBrusk certainly seems to be one of them, with him willing to move to another team that is closer to competing.

While he shouldn’t be the primary target, if the Senators can bring in another star winger and have DeBrusk as their fourth top-six winger, they will be in great shape.

The acquisition cost for DeBrusk likely isn’t as high as some other players have been moved for. One of the best comparables would be Conor Garland, who was dealt from the Canucks to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2026 Trade Deadline.

Garland was moved for a second- and third-round pick.

The trade market has shifted, so expecting that to be a bit higher is fair. Would the 25th overall pick alone get that done?