2025-26
Record: 44-27-11, 99 points, 5th in Atlantic Division
Playoffs: Lost to Carolina in First Round
Key Losses
F – Brady Tkachuk (Trade w/ FLA), D – Nick Jenson (ANA), F – Lars Eller (FLA), G – James Reimer (Free Agency)
Key Additions
F – William Eklund (Trade w/ SJ), G – Samuel Ersson (Trade w/ TOR via PHI), F – André Burakovsky (Trade w/ CHI)
2026-27 Preview
Entering a New Era
The Ottawa Senators enter the 2026-27 season facing a significant transition after trading captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. Tkachuk’s departure marks the end of an era for the Senators and leaves the organization searching for new leadership both on and off the ice.
During the 2025-26 season, Tkachuk became a source of controversy within the organization, particularly following the launch of a podcast with his brother, Matthew. The podcast created tension in the Senators’ locker room after it included an unnecessary jab at goaltender Linus Ullmark while he was away from the team for personal reasons. Tkachuk’s involvement with Team USA during the Olympics, where the Americans defeated Canada for the gold medal, along with his subsequent interactions with the Trump administration, also generated controversy among some Senators fans and teammates.
With Tkachuk now in Florida, Ottawa has begun reshaping its roster and moving forward without its longtime captain. The Senators acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson to provide additional support behind Ullmark, while also bringing in forward William Eklund to add youth and offensive skill alongside Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson. Ottawa also added veteran forward André Burakovsky, who brings experience and additional depth to a team that has significant expectations heading into the new season.
The biggest question for Ottawa will be determining who steps up to fill the leadership void left by Tkachuk. Stützle, Batherson, Ullmark, and the rest of the Senators’ veteran core will be expected to take on greater responsibility, while the organization’s younger players will need to continue developing.
For the Senators, this is more than simply replacing one player. It is an opportunity to establish a new identity and move past the distractions that surrounded the team last season. With a new-look roster and a chance to reset the culture, Ottawa is entering a new era—and the 2026-27 season will show whether that change can finally translate into sustained success.
Will This be a Bounceback Season for Ullmark?
For Linus Ullmark, the 2025-26 season was a challenging one, as the Senators’ starting goaltender posted a 28-12-8 record in 49 games. Ullmark finished the regular season with a 2.73 goals-against average, a .891 save percentage, and three shutouts.
The biggest concern was Ullmark’s significant drop in save percentage. His season was also interrupted when he stepped away from the team for personal reasons, adding another layer of difficulty to an already challenging campaign. However, Ullmark appeared to put those struggles behind him when the Stanley Cup Playoffs arrived.
In Ottawa’s four-game first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Ullmark was outstanding, posting a 2.03 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage—both career-best marks for a single playoff run. Despite his strong performance, the Senators were eliminated in the first round.
With the distractions of last season behind him and a new goaltending partner in Samuel Ersson, Ullmark enters the 2026-27 season with an opportunity to reset and return to the form that made him one of the NHL’s most dependable goaltenders. If he can carry his playoff performance into the regular season, Ullmark could be in position for a significant bounce-back campaign.
Projected Lineup
Offense
William Eklund — Tim Stutzle — Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig — Dylan Cozens — Claude Giroux
Warren Foegele — Shane Pinto — Andre Burakovsky
Fabian Zetterlund — Nick Cousins — Michael Amadio
Defense
Jake Sanderson — Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot — Jordan Spence
Tyler Kleven — Carter Yakemchuk
Goalies
Linus Ullmark
Samuel Ersson