The Ottawa Senators have a long and storied history of trades, dating back to their re-establishment in the NHL in 1992. From draft day deals to blockbuster transactions involving star players, trades have been a consistent element in shaping the team's roster and identity.

In the early years, the Senators focused on acquiring talent to build a competitive team. Notable trades from the 1990s include acquiring players like Jody Hull, Neil Brady, and Bob Kudelski in 1992. The Senators also traded for Pavol Demitra in 1993. A significant trade in 1996 saw the Senators acquire Wade Redden and Damien Rhodes.

The early 2000s were marked by trades that brought in key players who would become central to the team's success. In 2001, the Senators traded Alexei Yashin and in return, acquired Zdeno Chara, Jason Spezza, and Bill Muckalt. This trade is considered one of the most important in Senators' history, as Chara and Spezza became franchise cornerstones.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, the Senators continued to make trades to bolster their roster. In 2005, they traded for Dany Heatley. In 2008, the Senators acquired Erik Karlsson. However, as the team transitioned into a rebuilding phase, they began trading away established players for future assets.

In recent years, the Senators have been active in the trade market as part of their ongoing rebuild. Some notable trades include:

• 2022: The Senators acquired Alex DeBrincat.
• 2023: The Senators acquired Jakob Chychrun.
• 2024: The Senators traded Vladimir Tarasenko to the Florida Panthers. Also in 2024, the team acquired Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins.
• 2025: The Senators traded Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres for Dylan Cozens and Dennis Gilbert. Also in 2025, the team acquired Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings.

These trades reflect the Senators' strategy of accumulating young talent and draft picks to build a foundation for future success. The Senators also made six selections at the 2025 NHL Draft, including Logan Hensler.

Trades have played a significant role in the Ottawa Senators' history, shaping their roster and influencing their competitiveness. While some trades have been more successful than others, they remain a crucial tool for the team as they continue to build towards a promising future.