NHL Trade Talk Recap: Senators, Sharks & Oilers Need a Reset

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In today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap (August 13, 2026), we share that the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, and Edmonton Oilers are all basically in “major updates incoming” mode right now. Ottawa’s Steve Staios is trying to calm the Brady Tkachuk trade fallout and insisting the Sens still have moves to make, especially around Drake Batherson.

Meanwhile in Sharks land, Macklin Celebrini’s 1/1 Young Guns Outburst Gold card is nearing $500K, and the whole auction is turning into a serious grail chase. And for the Oilers, Trent Frederic is calling his first season in Edmonton a long injury-and-fit mess—and saying a healthy offseason and a fresh start with Mike Babcock gives him a real chance to flip the script.

Staios Says “Not Done Yet” After Tkachuk Trade

Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios basically went on the record this week to calm nerves after Brady Tkachuk left for the Florida Panthers and the return was mostly futures. He admitted what everyone’s thinking: without Tkachuk, the team got worse—period—but he stressed that the organization isn’t finished trying to build a winner in Ottawa.

Staios also talked culture, took a few shots at the situation with Tkachuk, and said Ottawa is now a better place to attract players if they have the right character. And the big priority moving forward? Getting Drake Batherson signed, with talks ongoing—because even if Batherson comes back, don’t expect that to be the only move the Sens make.

Senators Take Shot at Brady Tkachuk While Making a Vow To Passionate Fans

Celebrini’s 1/1 Young Guns Card Is Going Wild

Macklin Celebrini is the Sharks’ young superstar—he was the 2024 first overall pick, and he went off early, then followed it up by putting up 115 points in his second NHL season at 19 (including 45 goals and 70 assists). So when a 2024-25 Upper Deck Young Guns Outburst Gold #451 shows up as a 1/1, collectors treat it like a legit grail while the auction’s still live.

Right now it’s sitting around $488,000 on Goldin (with buyer’s premium) with about two days left (ends Saturday night, Aug 15). It started near $15k and climbed steadily, and people are already throwing around the idea that it could be the most expensive non-Wayne Gretzky hockey card ever (or at least the highest public bid so far). With the Gretzky comparisons floating around, the real question is: does it cap out soon, or does someone push it into “this will be remembered forever” money?

Macklin Celebrini Card Auction Nears $500K & It’s Not Done

Frederic’s Oilers “Reset”: Bad Ankle, Rough Year, Fresh Start

Trent Frederic’s start in Edmonton has been messy, and it’s mainly because of injury timing. Edmonton traded for him at the 2025 deadline. But he had a high-ankle sprain that lingered forever. He finally debuted in April 2025, re-injured it on his first shift, and then didn’t really look like himself. The next season wasn’t much better. After a longer recovery, he returned to the lineup but struggled to produce, finishing with four goals and three assists in 74 games. That made his eight-year, $3.85M AAV deal a huge talking point.

Now Frederic’s talking like he’s finally ready to turn the page. He says he felt close to 100% only after the Olympic break in February 2026. He’s coming into the new season with a full summer, plus a fresh slate under new coach Mike Babcock. Frederic also mentioned wanting more penalty-killing chances. If he can consistently bring his big, fast, physical game, this is his opportunity to prove last season was the exception. I would not consider it a reflection of the player he can be.

From “Worst Contract” to Breakout Candidate: Trent Frederic’s Chance to Rewrite Everything

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