Welcome to this Ottawa Senators edition of NHL Rumours. Yes, we heard about everything that has been going on. It has been on all of the major hockey broadcasts. Moreover, there is one perspective we would like to take from the collective messaging. So, let’s dive into it.
NHL Rumours and the Fallout from Recent NHL Rumours
Rumour: Brent Wallace from the Coming In Hot Podcast commented regarding the heightened level of this topic. This has a personal side to it, and we don’t want to present things that aren’t true. But what we want to do is understand how everyone is feeling.
Analysis: However, given the severity of the topic, is that people will invariably be impacted by it. Players are human, too.
So, what happened here? Well, it started with an anonymous account on X (formerly known as Twitter) making a very personal post regarding the Senator players. However, what immediately added fuel to the fire, was that general manager Steve Staios made a comment on the post. He felt as though he couldn’t stand idly-by, and let his players be the brunt of unfounded rumours online. And let’s be clear, they are unfounded. The players in today’s media availability were grateful for Staios delivering the message, and to show solidarity among the group.
The idea behind the messaging of all this is the personal side of things. This hurts the players, as individual, as family men, and in the locker room, ultimately. As Brent Wallace put it, “If this was a trade rumour…but this has personal ramifications.”
The idea we are trying to unlock here, is what will ultimately be the trickle-down effect. As Wallace continued, he suggested, “This will have some kind of impact in that room…I think there’s fallout.” This is not just some run-of-the-mill online blogger, he has 25-odd years of being a very close beat-reporter to the Ottawa Senators organization. He is as much of an insider as their is in the Ottawa sports landscape. Even he thinks there will be fallout.
Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukaukas shared their thought’s from Friday’s 32 Thoughts podcast.
“If someone dragged my family into this, true or not, I mean it is especially worse if it is not true, I am out of there. You would have to find a good reason to get me to change my mind.”
So again, Friedman, in his very smart approach, gives the imagery of the players would want to be moved out. Even if it is in the way he phrases it, as more so hypothetical. He is giving the impression if this type of thing were happening, why wouldn’t the players want out? They players themselves are understandably pretty upset about this event.
“This isn’t over, and they are trying to show their players, we have your backs.”
So, from a team perspective, we had to put a few of the underlying items together. First of all, we do know that Linus Ullmark is away from the team on a leave of absence. On top of that, he really hasn’t been playing well this season. So, besides the fact all this recent chatter has come from off-the-ice distractions, there was already pressure concerning his on-ice performance. It would naturally be a lot of him on a personal level.
ROSTER UPDATE: Stephen Halliday, Mads Sogaard have been loaned to the @BellevilleSens; Hunter Shepard was recalled.
MISE À JOUR: Stephen Halliday, Mads Sogaard ont été cédés aux @BellevilleSens; Hunter Shepard a été rappelé.https://t.co/YQ6Sa6wrzr
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) January 10, 2026
And that is where today’s messaging from head coach Travis Green and three of the players becomes relevant. Those three players being David Perron, Brady Tkachuk, and Tim Stutzle. The idea is that they support a player, in Ullmark, that is away from the club for personal reasons. So, the theme is a team that needs to stick together, and make sure they are one solidified unit in the dressing room. Whatever ends up happening from this, we just want to wish Ullmark all the best in his recovery, and that none of the players’ families are having undue stress from unfounded rumours online. Brady Tkachuk, in particular, was opposed to the rumours, and especially their perceived target, in this regard. You really do feel for the players here. So, remember for everyone, be kind out there.
Travis Green media avail: “You don’t want to see a player go through something he doesn’t have to go through.” pic.twitter.com/bKOjcWwAB0
— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) January 10, 2026
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images