The Ottawa Senators Drive high after finally breaking through and returning to the play -offs last season. Their 45-30-7 record meant a huge step forward for a franchise that has been rebuilt for years. But even with that success, the Angel of Losing the Toronto Maple Leafs still remains. So while we look ahead to the 2025–26 season, one question arises: what is the plan of the senators now?
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Three large subjects are part of the current conversations in the circles of senators: the steady presence of Claude Giroux, the uncertainty (and opportunities) in the fold, and that Young Gun is ready to take the next big step.
Item one: G still has it: the Giroux effect
You cannot overestimate the value of a player like Giroux. On 37 he may not be the man who has ever posted 100 points, but he remains the heartbeat of the team. The senators wisely brought him back on a one -year -old deal of $ 2 million (plus bonuses), holding a respected veteran in the fold for a different season.
((Amy Irvin / The hockey writers)
Last season Giroux registered a respectable 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 81 games. His faceoff skills – still one of the best in the competition – forbid critically in important situations. But the statistics only tell a part of the story.
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Giroux’s sustainability is remarkable – he has only missed one competition in the past three seasons. And his leadership? That is where its value is. He brings a sense of calmness to the chaos, the kind of presence that only comes from have been there and done. Expect the coaching staff to lean more on him as a defensive-responsible third-line center-iMand to anchor heavy matchups, kill punishment and serve as a mentor for younger players. His presence, both on the ice and in the dressing room, remains fundamentally for a team that still defines its identity.
Item two: the goalkeeper of the senators: a real bottleneck
If there was one position that senators had fans who maintained their breath last season, it was in goal. The team made a daring move by trading Joonas Korpisalo to the Boston Bruins in exchange for the well -considered Linus Ullmark, hoping that he would solidify the fold. But an injury in the middle season derailed that plan, in which Rookie Leevi Meriläinen bumped into the spotlight.
And what a debut it was. Fresh from winning the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the top goalkeeper of the American Hockey League (AHL), Meriläinen not only survived – he bloomed. In 12 NHL competitions he placed a 1.99 goal-opposite on average, a .925 savings percentage, and earned three shutouts. Suddenly a potential goalkeeper crisis in a pleasant surprise became.
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Of Anton Forsberg now in Los AngelesThe target station is set: it is Ullmark and Meriläinen. The questions are clear. Can Ullmark stay healthy and live up to the promise that Ottawa led to acquire him? And can Meriläinen resist the pressure of wearing a larger NHL workload? The answers to those questions can determine the season of the senators.
Item three: Which young senators are ready for their close-up?
Now that Giroux plays a defined leading role and the fold in capable hands (at least on paper), the fortunes of the team will probably depend on the growth of his young core.
Ridly Greig is one name that keeps coming. The soon 23-year-old center (his birthday is 8 August) has already recorded 170 NHL matches and showed important steps last season, especially in his two-way competition. He brings energy every service and deserves the trust of the coaching staff.
Then there is Shane Pinto, who has all the tools to be a top six-ahead. He has already surpassed the 100-point brand in his career, and now it’s all about putting it together consistently. If he can, he could become a real difference maker.
At the back, Jake Sanderon continues to create as a cornerstone defender. He hit his 127th career point last season and regularly recorded the most challenging defensive assignments. It is the kind of dynamic blueler that you build.
A player under the radar to watch is Fabian Zetterlund. If he can perform a greater role on the penalty murder or even on a top-six-zou, he can be one of the surprise impact players of this season.
The road for the senators: what is the following?
With veteran leadership intact, a promising goalkeeper duo and a group of young players who are ready to take larger roles, the senators enter a determining season. Last season was a taste of a long-awaited return to play-off hockey. Now the question becomes: can they do it again – and continue?
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The pieces are there. The dressing room is mature. The fan base has been revived. But potential is only potential until it becomes performance.
This season is not just about continuing progress – it is about proving this team from a good story to a serious competition. The stage is set. Now the senators must deliver.
[Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]
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