The Ottawa Senators may have traded their big-name free agents at the trade deadline, but the franchise still must answer to its fans about its young players and the future.

There are rumblings that the Senators are ready to commit to one of their young players. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, in his 31 Thoughts column, reports the Senators are looking to lock up defensive cornerstone Thomas Chabot to a long-term extension. Chabot, who broke out during his second NHL season with 14 goals and 55 points in 70 games, would be the ideal signing for the organization to prove it intends to compete in the future.

Friedman writes that owner Eugene Melnyk has been humbled by his lack of success in finding a new President of Hockey Operations, with top candidates showing little interest to the point of refusing to meet with the team.

The hope is Melnyk will find a way to please the fans by rewarding one of the Sens' young players. Chabot is the most likely fit. He will be eligible for an extension on July 1 as he enters the final year of his entry-level contract.

There is more from around the Eastern Conference: