Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios felt it was time for change

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Steve Staios wanted to send a message to the Ottawa Senators dressing room at the National Hockey League trade deadline.

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They had done their part by getting into the playoff race, so the Senators president of hockey operations and general manager wanted to do his part by making a move to help his club advance.

When Staios had the opportunity to send centre Josh Norris and defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres on March 8 in exchange for centre Dylan Cozens and defenceman Dennis Gilbert, the Senators swung that big deal.

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But Staios didn’t stop there, acquiring winger Fabian Zetterlund, minor-league forward Tristen Robins and a fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for prospect Zack Ostapchuk, winger Noah Gregor and second-round pick just 27 seconds before 3 p.m.

“Going back to the commitment of this group from the beginning they showed me that they’re moving and taking steps in the right direction,” Staios told Gino Reda of TSN’s That’s Hockey during a break in NHL GM’s meetings in Manalapan, Fla., on Monday.

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“It’s an opportunity as a manager to look at how I can make my team better if I can. It’s easier said than done going to look for deals, but we felt like if there was something we could do for this group to give them confidence and lengthen our lineup — which we did.”

Heading into deadline day, it looked like Ottawa would be quiet. But when the opportunity to acquire Cozens from the Sabres presented itself early in the morning, Staios was able to work with Buffalo counterpart Kevyn Adams to get the deal across the finish line.

The Senators had held serious talks with the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators heading into deadline day regarding Norris, but neither of those deals materialized.

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Cozens has made a difference with the Senators. He had two goals and four points heading into the club’s game against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre and was plus-5.

He had recorded 23 hits in that stretch and brought more of a physical presence than Norris did in the second-line role behind Tim Stutzle.

Staios understood that moving Norris would send shockwaves through his dressing room, but it’s the job of management to improve the club. The Senators feel that Cozens brings more of an edge, especially at this time of year when physical hockey is so important.

Some wondered what turn this group might take when people saw captain Brady Tkachuk’s initial reaction, but the reality is that the Senators have welcomed the moves with open arms after the initial shock wore off.

“It was emotional for everybody,” Staios said. “Josh is a great player and teammate, and those are never easy moves to make Chemistry is a big part of what we’re trying to build in culture in Ottawa. At the same time, I can’t let that emotion get in the way of trying to make these decisions and make our team better.

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“There’s an understanding that this happens in pro sports and I think our group has rallied around each other, and there’s a great deal of commitment to one another and playing hard for each other. Those are difficult times and situations, but emotions can’t get in the way of making these decisions.”

Now, the focus has turned to making the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

The onus is on Tkachuk, Stutzle, Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto, Ridly Greig, Drake Batherson and goaltender Linus Ullmark to get the club to the NHL’s big dance.

The club is taking nothing for granted and coach Travis Green has been steadfast that the Senators have to look at the task at hand, not the big picture.

“We’ve got lots of work to do to get (to the playoffs) and we don’t want to focus on the outcome,” Staios said. “It’s about the process. Whether it’s been in good times or difficult times, sticking to that process has gotten us to playing these meaningful games down the stretch, which I know our players have been longing for.”

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The Senators were sitting in the second wild-card spot in the East heading into the game against the Habs and Ottawa had recorded points in eight straight with a 7-0-1 record in that stretch.

Ten of the club’s final 15 games, including eight of the last nine, will be played at the Canadian Tire Centre. Staios has been pleased with the Senators’ ability to push to make the postseason.

“It’s a credit to the players,” Staios said. “The commitment has been there all year. Certainly, there are some games we’ve played better than others and the goaltending has helped in other areas.

“It’s so tight and we’re happy to be in this position that we’re in to play these games down the stretch.”

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

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