2024-25
Record: 45-30-7, 4th in Atlantic Division
Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference First Round
Key Losses
Adam Gaudette (F – Signed with SJ), Anton Forsberg (G – Signed with LA), and Travis Hamonic (D – UFA)
Key Additions
Jordan Spence (D – Trade with LA), Lars Eller (F – Signed via FA), and Arthur Kaliyev (F – Signed via FA)
2025-26 Preview
Eyeing the Playoffs… Again
For the Ottawa Senators, they made their return to the playoffs for the first time since falling to Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference Final in 2017. While they faltered early, but made things interesting when facing elimination when facing Toronto in the first round, the Senators came out of it with a really great learning experience. Also, this is a positive sign for the Senators as well. Rumors swirled about the potential of their captain Brady Tkachuk being traded, and while they were more from the NHL Insiders speculating about the possibility (and maybe some tampering on the New York Rangers part), the Senators making the playoffs improved their chances of keeping their captain happy.
This season the Senators look to make their return to the playoffs to continue to build off of their successful 2024-25 season. The addition of Lars Eller stabilizes their fourth line center position, and he brings Stanley Cup experience to the locker room. Also, with the addition of Jordan Spence to the defensive corp., the Senators fill a need after moving on from Travis Hamonic.
The only question is what will Claude Giroux bring to the table? After how he handled his trade from Philadelphia, which many are still stunned he refused to go to Colorado, and that he made it known years before that he was planning to sign with Ottawa, one has to wonder if Giroux really cares about making the playoffs and is just happy playing close to home in Ottawa. The good news is that he’s still producing, so at least there’s that.
Consistency in Goal
For the Senators, they received solid goaltending from Linus Ullmark during the regular season, but come the playoffs, he struggled. For the Senators, they hope that it it will be the last time for Ullmark having a rocky playoffs. For Ullmark, he is 5-10 in 16 games played with a 3.28 goals against average and a .885 save percentage, and he is looking to replicate the regular season success he’s had, and translate it into a strong playoff run for the Senators.
The Senators know that Ullmark brings a solid regular season record of 163-87-26 with a 2.54 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. They just hope that he brings that same form to the playoffs. However, waiting in the wings is Leevi Merilainen. The 23 year old was 8-3-1 with a 2.25 goals against average, .919 save percentage, and 3 shutouts in 12 games played last season. Should Ullmark struggle, the Senators could hand the reigns to Merilainen and see what the kid can do as he’ll be with the Senators all season as the backup after letting Anton Forsberg go to free agency.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Brady Tkachuk — Tim Stutzle — Claude Giroux
Fabian Zetterlund — Dylan Cozens — Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig — Shane Pinto — Michael Amadio
David Perron — Lars Eller — Nick Cousins
Defense
Jake Sanderson — Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot — Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven — Jordan Spence
Goalies
Linus Ullmark
Leevi Merilainen
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