The Ottawa Senators’ decision to trade down in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft has been widely praised as a smart move. GM Steve Staios exchanged the 21st overall pick for Nashville’s 23rd and 67th selections, effectively gaining an early third-round pick without losing much value—just the wait for two additional picks to select the intended player. Staios then traded those picks, alongside a sixth-rounder, to the Los Angeles Kings to acquire defenseman Jordan Spence, a player they had minimal presence on their radar before.
It’s impressive how this deal turned out successful despite the intense time pressure and the rapid loss of top talent during the draft. Behind the scenes of this intricate trade will be revealed, shedding light on the process during such high-stress moments. On Monday, the Senators announced they would showcase a behind-the-scenes look at their draft trade discussions, which were featured on the Season 6 premiere of the NHL draft series “Break Away” from 10 days ago. A trailer released on social media includes real trade call audio between Staios and Nashville GM Barry Trotz.
This week’s news also analyzed an intriguing right-shot defense depth chart for the Senators, noted five former first-round Senators finding new NHL teams, and featured Claude Giroux explaining his return to Ottawa. This draft was distinct, resembling the Covid-era remote draft format, with teams selecting players remotely to reduce costs. The Senators’ hockey operations team worked from their dressing room, surrounded by jerseys from previous first-round picks.
Fans of the movie “Draft Day” may enjoy this episode, as it involves real-time trade negotiations similar to the film’s portrayal of draft warrooms with competitive phone calls between GMs. Unlike the film’s dramatic surrender of a first-round pick, Ottawa held onto their assets strategically. The episode will also reveal a technical glitch during a video call with first-round pick Logan Hensler, which led to an abrupt end to the live stream, leaving owner Michael and others disappointed.
This episode is set to air on the Senators’ YouTube channel on Wednesday.
Steve Warne
Hockey News/Ottawa
Image credit: Kirby Lee-Imagery
Additional headlines:
– The Senators say goodbye to six UFAs and track their new homes
– Signing of Lars Eller marks a major offseason addition
– Clarification on goaltending plans for next season
– Acquisition of defenseman Jordan Spence from Los Angeles
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Fan Take: This behind-the-scenes glimpse into NHL draft negotiations is a thrilling look at the strategy and quick decision-making that shapes team futures. For hockey fans, it underscores how front office moves can be as exciting and crucial as the action on the ice, promising a deeper appreciation for the business side of the sport.
