The Senators were already in the market for another “top six” forward for the stretch run. So the loss of Dany Heatley for the next four to six weeks with a shoulder injury will only accelerate that search.

Heatley was on pace to become the 13th player in NHL history to score 50 or more goals in three consecutive seasons. As a Senator, he had played 207 games in a row.

“I was fortunate in the last two years to play all the games,” Heatley told the Ottawa Sun. “Eventually there’s going to be a setback.

“It happens. It’s frustrating, but it’s hockey.”

Elsewhere in the NHL, the Capitals lost center Michael Nylander for the rest of the season and the Avalanche lost Peter Stastny for several weeks. So several GMs may be on the prowl.

Here is a look at some of the forwards expected to be in play:

–Marian Hossa, Thrashers: Alexander Ovechkin’s contract raised the bar for all scorers, including Hossa and fellow Atlanta sniper Ilya Kovalchuk. With Hossa heading to free agency, this would be a good time to trade Marian to get a true No. 1 center.

If Hossa goes up for grabs, the Rangers, Flyers, Sharks, Canucks, Canadiens and Red Wings could all put in a bid.

–J.P. Dumont, Predators: Here is another UFA-to-be. Nashville may not get Steve Sullivan back this year, however, and the Preds are still in the playoff hunt. That there may be enough incentive to keep him through the end of the season.

–Michal Handzus, Kings: LA has almost no chance to get into the playoffs, so ‘Zus could moved back to the Eastern Conference – where he could make better use of his size. The injury-riddled Sabres are said to be interested.

–Nik Antropov, Maple Leafs: At some point, Toronto could see a major overhaul. The first step, of course, will be determining who will actually run the franchise for the next several years. The Flames figure to get in on the Antropov bidding if the Leafs decide to start over.

–Michael Ryder, Canadiens: He has been on the block for some time, according to the rumor mill, but he could finally move down the trail.