FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA

Pierre Dorion wasn’t sitting idle on Saturday.

Instead, he was working the phones and league sources told Postmedia Network if he doesn’t make a trade it won’t be from a lack of trying.

Three league executives told me Saturday that the Senators GM has his dipped his fingers in a lot deals with his counterparts selling off and has pretty much expressed interest in several forwards — and even the odd defencemen — to see if he can find depth before the deadline.

Armed with owner Eugene Melnyk’s blessing to add a player to the payroll with the mandate of getting the Senators to the playoffs, Dorion worked the phones again Saturday in an attempt to see if he can stir up a deal for a forward before Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline.

Assistant GM Randy Lee, Dorion’s closest confidant, arrived Thursday so he could be with the team around the deadline. There are no guarantees Dorion is going to do anything because at this juncture the prices are still high and despite an ugly 3-0 loss in Carolina Friday this team has been good.

At this point, the best-case scenario for the Senators is to add some depth to their forward ranks if possible because they’re also without winger Bobby Ryan, who is gone for at least month with a broken finger while Mike Hoffman has a groin injury and Mark Stone has a neck strain.

The action on the trade market has heated up dramatically because more teams have accepted the fact they’re going to be sellers.

It’s believed the Senators have shown interest in Dallas forwards Patrick Sharp and Jiri Hudler along with Detroit’s Thomas Vanek, Winnipeg’s Drew Stafford along with Arizona Coyotes centre Martin Hanzal, who’s considered the biggest chip among forwards at this deadline.

New Jersey’s P.A. Parenteau was linked to Ottawa Saturday because the Senators were scouting the Devils.

Out of that group, Sharp and Hudler might make the most sense. They both have playoff experience and would fit in well with the Senators. The Jets are in a tough spot to move Stafford because they’re still in a playoff race in the West and may not want to send that kind of message to their fans.

The issue for the Senators is they don’t really want to give up top prospects Thomas Chabot and Colin White. Those are the guys they get asked about most often and the club only has four picks in this June’s draft.

Yes, the name of winger Curtis Lazar, who has gotten an expanded role with the injuries, has been mentioned but the interest from other teams is minimal because the 22-year-old has no goals in 33 games this season and the Senators aren’t convinced they want to give up on him.

“You have to be careful with guys like Lazar because you move them and then five years from now they’re playing 18 minutes a night for someone else,” said a league executive Friday.

Since it’s believed Dorion would rather add to his roster than subtract, the Senators likely need to find a player they can get for a third-round or fourth-round pick. The high-end rentals seem to be going for second-round selections and the Senators don’t have one this year or in 2018 either.

Yes, the players are keeping an eye on what’s happening.

“(The chatter) is something that’s unavoidable when you’re making a run for it and you’re winning games,” veteran defenceman Marc Methot said Saturday morning. “You know the team is always, I guess, looking at all the available options.

“We’re happy with the group that we have but at the same time we know Pierre is working very hard in trying to improve the team with regards to anything he can do to make that happen. I think we’re in a position where you’ve just got to work hard, do your job and hope everything works out.”

If Dorion decides to stand pat, the Senators have no issue with that because they feel they have the people in place to make the post-season.

“That’s for Pierre to make the call. I think every team is looking for depth in some position at some point,” said alternate captain Kyle Turris. “We’re comfortable with the group we have but, like you said, we’re always looking for depth to help down the stretch.

“You’ve seen the injuries we’ve had and anything can happen but just adding depth can help any team.”

One league executive also told Postmedia Netowrk you have to be careful about trading picks away because that’s the foundation for the future.

“That’s where you get your players for the future and if you don’t keep your picks then you wake up one day and the cupboard is bare,” he said.

It will be an interesting few days ahead.

TOUGH TIME OF SEASON FOR PLAYERS

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Senators aren’t sitting waiting for help.

If they get some that’s fine but if they don’t then they’ll move on in their quest to get back to the playoffs.

Make no mistake, GM Pierre Dorion would like to add before the deadline Wednesday but he’s not going to do so at any cost and he’s maintained he believes this team has what it takes to make the post-season even though he’s got the blessing from owner Eugene Melnyk to make a move.

If Dorion does get some help, what kind of message would that send to the room?

“As a group I can say we’re very happy with what we have,” said blueliner Marc Methot as the players enjoyed Saturday off at their hotel.

“Anytime you make a push and you see there’s an addition here or there — if that needs to be addressed — I’m sure that tells the group that we’re going for it, we want to make the playoffs, we want to win the Stanley Cup, that’s always the end goal. It’s something we have zero control over though. Our job is to go out there and play but we welcome anything.”

That being said, the Senators don’t want to see any of their teammates have to pack their bags before Wednesday either.

“That’s why it’s a hard question to answer: You guys ask, ‘Does it show he’s willing to win?’ ” said Methot. “Well, at the same time (Dorion’s) giving up a player that maybe you’ve played with for a few seasons and you’ve developed bonds with. It’s a double-edged sword.

“It can be a pro because usually it’s in the best interests of the team and that’s something you have to accept as an athlete and as a pro. It’s your job and that’s something that you’ve got to deal with.”

There will be some players who will be happy when the deadline passes.

“Maybe you get some relief when that deadline passes. It’s something that’s out of your control and you’ve just got to go with it,” Methot said.