After a long summer that started in mid-April, the Senators will gather for the start of training camp in less than two weeks.

They’d still like to get one more deal done.

While the Senators have 48 players under contract and don’t have any plans to sign anybody before camp starts Sept. 18 at Canadian Tire Centre, GM Bryan Murray would still like to add a top nine forward.

At this juncture, with the free agent market virtually empty, the only way to do that may be through a trade but a check with NHL executives in the last few days indicates the pickings are slim.

League sources say the forwards available at the moment include Carolina’s Alexander Semin, New Jersey’s Damien Brunner along with Buffalo’s Drew Stafford and Chris Stewart.

Semin is the most over-priced at $7 million per-season through 2017-18 while Stafford and Stewart have one left in the $4 million range. Brunner is the most reasonably priced at $2.5 million.

None of these guys would demand much in the way of a return because their GM’s would be quite happy to move the contracts, especially with players about to do battle for jobs in camp.

In a lot of ways, these players all carry one similar trait, expensive and underachieving. That’s why you aren’t seeing Murray along with assistants Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee rushing into a trade.

The Senators have no need to scrape from the bottom of the bin.

Given the fact camp is just around the corner and the rookies will report Friday before heading to the four-team tournament in London, Ont., it may make sense for the Senators to sit tight.

“Making a trade at this time of year is always tricky because teams are usually happy with what they’ve got,” said a league executive last week.

“Nobody has lost a game yet. They’ve spent the summer shaping their team and everybody is excited going into camp. Dealing is pretty difficult.”

Murray, Dorion, Lee and Senators coach Paul MacLean have spent the summer trying to pencil in what way the depth chart will look. The top line will be Kyle Turris, Clarke MacArthur and Bobby Ryan.

You have to think Mika Zibanejad is going to get a long look at being a top centre in camp with Milan Michalek and Alex Chiasson on his wings. They could definitely start the season together.

Mark Stone will be given an ample opportunity to play in the top nine and so will rookie Curtis Lazar. Many think he is ready to make the jump to the NHL, but camp will determine that.

Dealing Jason Spezza to the Stars in exchange for Chiasson and two prospects has certainly changed the look up front and that’s why the Senators would like one more proven forward.

The Senators do have plenty of defencemen if they want to make a deal but they’ve also got a couple of contracts at forward they’d like to move as well and haven’t had any success in the summer.

The Senators have committed $54.8 million in cap space to 23 players. They’ll likely spend in the $56-to-$57 million range in salaries this season give or take a few dollars at the trade deadline.

Murray has been working the phones to see what’s available. Camp will go a long way in determining what route the club takes to get a top nine forward if nothing is done by the time the players report.

Like everybody, the Senators have questions going into camp. The pre-season will provide answers on the right fits for MacLean and his staff. That doesn’t mean Murray won’t deal in the meantime.

Twitter: @sungarrioch