Here’s a full 2025-26 season outlook for the Ottawa Senators, covering last season’s recap, this season’s expectations, key roster moves, a look at the projected roster and depth charts, and a season prediction.
Recap of 2024-25
The Senators posted a 45-30-7 regular-season record, earning 97 points and finishing 4th in the Atlantic Division.
Their goals for/against were 242 and 232, respectively, putting them roughly mid-league in both categories.
This marked their first playoff appearance in eight years, which in itself was a major step forward.
They faced the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1 and were eliminated (4-2 series loss).
What went well
The club regained an identity as a hardworking, detail-oriented team that could hold leads and show improved underlying numbers.
Making the playoffs re-energized the fan base and provided a foundation to build on.
Young core players (such as Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk) continued to mature, and the team’s defensive metrics improved compared to previous seasons.
What still needs work
The offense was still middle-of-the-pack: 242 goals puts them 18th in the league in goals for.
Shooting percentage and finishing were weak; there remains a lack of proven high-end scorers beyond the top forwards.
Playoff experience is still limited and the step from getting in to being competitive is substantial. The series versus Toronto revealed gaps in talent and maturity.
Depth remains a concern, particularly at forward, with the club noted to have “only eight NHL forwards under contract for 2025-26” heading into the offseason.
In short: a very positive season, a turning point of sorts, but far from a finished product. The sense is that the Senators are in the “build and gain credibility” phase rather than being legitimate Stanley Cup favourites this moment.
Outlook for the 2025-26 Season
With the playoff drought over, expectations for the 2025-26 season will naturally rise a bit. The key questions: Can Ottawa transition from “good young core with promise” to “serious contender”? Will they improve their scoring, maintain defensive stability, and manage a deeper run in the postseason?
Key themes
Offensive upgrade required – For the Senators to take the next step, they’ll need more scoring depth. Top-line production is there (Stützle /Tkachuk), but the second and third lines need to contribute more consistently. The club has identified winger additions as a priority.
Defensive maturation + transition to playoff mode – With a young defence (e.g., Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven) improving, the next step is sustained high-level play and fewer “rookie mistakes” in critical moments.
Health and consistency – Injuries and inconsistent stretches have hampered the club in the past. If they can stay healthy and maintain level production over 82 games, they’ll be in much better shape.
Cap and contract management – The club appears to have roughly $6 M in cap space.
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They still need to manage forward depth and be smart in incremental upgrades.
Playoff performance – Having gotten in, they now need to win a round, and that means gaining both experience and perhaps a few veteran additions.
If everything goes well, the Senators are poised to be a top-three team in the Atlantic, make a deeper playoff run, and perhaps even challenge for the division. But risks remain: a drop in form, injuries, or no roster upgrades could stall momentum.
Additions & Subtractions (Key Moves)
Here are some of the noteworthy changes:
Additions
The club signed veteran forward Lars Eller to a one-year deal (~$1.2 M) to bring experience and high-character presence.
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Defenseman Jordan Spence was acquired via trade (from the LA Kings) in exchange for a 2025 3rd-round pick + 2026 6th.
Forward Fabian Zetterlund signed a multi-year contract (three years) for some forward depth.
Defenseman Tyler Kleven signed a two-year extension, showing commitment to the young blue line.
Subtractions
The club lost forward Adam Gaudette to free agency (to the San Jose Sharks) after a noteworthy 19-goal season.
Some depth moves/trades were made to free up cap space and retool certain parts of the roster, though no blockbuster outgoing move overshadowed the additions.
More broadly, the club has been cautious in major spending, choosing incremental upgrades over splashy signings.
Overall, the front office is signalling: “We like what we have, now let’s add key pieces and go.” The additions are mostly experienced, two-way, depth or developmental pieces — not big star signings. The hope is that the young core steps up and the veterans bring the glue.
Projected Roster & Depth Charts
Here’s a look at how the roster is shaping up, followed by a depth chart for offence and defence.
Forwards:
Brady Tkachuk (C/LW)
Tim Stützle (C/LW)
Shane Pinto (C), Ridly Greig (C/LW)
Drake Batherson (RW)
Claude Giroux (RW)
David Perron (LW/RW)
Defense:
Jake Sanderson
Thomas Chabot
Artem Zub
Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven
Jordan Spence
Nikolas Matinpalo
Goaltenders
Linus Ullmark has been pegged as starter.
Depth Chart
Here’s a conceptual depth-chart (based on current information and reasonable projections):
Offense
First Line:
LW: Brady Tkachuk – C: Tim Stützle – RW: Drake Batherson
Second Line:
LW: David Perron – C: Shane Pinto – RW: Claude Giroux
Third Line:
LW: Ridly Greig – C: Dylan Cozens (recent acquisition) – RW: Fabian Zetterlund
Fourth Line / Depth:
LW/RW: Michael Amadio – Olaf/insert next-man-up – Lars Eller (flex)
This sets up a mix of youth and veteran presence. Notably, some names will shift depending on performance and health.
Defensive Pairings
Projected pairings might look like this:
Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot – Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven – Jordan Spence
Extra depth: Nikolas Matinpalo, other call-ups
Goaltending: Linus Ullmark as starter, with Leevi Meriläinen (or another young netminder) backing up.
The defence group blends youth (Sanderson, Kleven) with experience (Zub, Jensen) and a stable veteran presence (Chabot). The challenge is consistency and playoff poise.
Season Prediction & Expectations
Given all the pieces in place, here’s how I see the Senators’ 2025-26 season unfolding:
Regular Season: I project the Senators to earn between 100-105 points, finishing in the top 3 of the Atlantic Division (likely 2nd or 3rd). The improvement in defensive structure, combined with modest offensive upgrades and a healthy core, gives them a realistic chance to finish strong.
Playoffs: I expect Ottawa to win their first-round series (for only their second time since the mid-2010s) and make it to Round 2. The wildcard will be the quality of the opponent and injuries. If they draw a favourable match-up and stay healthy, I could even see them challenge for the Conference Final, but I’ll cap it at a Round 2 appearance this year.
Breakout Players / X-Factors:
Tim Stützle: if he takes another jump offensively, he becomes a true top-10 forward in the league.
Shane Pinto: if he solidifies himself as the second-line centre and contributes 60+ points, that will really lift the offence.
Tyler Kleven & Jordan Spence: if both reach breakout seasons on the blue line, Ottawa’s defence will have one of the youngest but most dynamic pairs in the NHL.
Risks:
If they don’t add a top-six winger or don’t get the expected jump from depth forwards, their scoring may plateau.
Injuries to key players (Tkachuk, Sanderson, Ullmark) could derail the momentum.
The Atlantic Division is crowded; competition is fierce and the margin for error is small.
My prediction: ~102 points, 2nd in Atlantic, Win in Round 1, Lose in Round 2. If they exceed expectations, a push to the Conference Final is not out of the question.
Players To Watch
The 2025 roster for the Ottawa Senators is packed with both seasoned pros and rising stars, making it one to watch closely. The spotlight is firmly on Tim Stützle, whose knack for weaving through defenses and finding the net makes him an indispensable part of the team. Then there’s Thomas Chabot, anchoring the defense while seamlessly transitioning into offensive plays.
Captaining the ship is Brady Tkachuk, who continues to be a force with his gritty style and leadership, rallying the team on and off the ice. He’s set to be a major influence, not just with goals and assists, but in setting the tone during high-stakes matches.
This season also brings some new faces from offseason trades and acquisitions. These players aren’t just here to fill gaps but to strengthen Ottawa’s attack and defense like never before. Assessing how these new additions gel and enhance team dynamism will be crucial as they aim for a solid playoff run.
Strategic Plays: The Senators’ Game Plan for 2025
Head Coach D.J. Smith has a clear game plan for the Senators, finely tuned to leverage the strengths of his roster while patching up any defensive vulnerabilities. It’s all about playing to their strengths: dynamic offense powered by the creativity of Stützle and the stability provided by veterans like Chabot.
On the offensive front, speed and precision will be key. The focus is on quick passes and aggressive posturing, aiming to capitalize on turnovers and apply relentless pressure on opposing defenses. Expect to see them exploit the speed of the wings and a balanced attack from both left and right sides.
Defense, though, is where D.J. Smith is aiming to make big strides. Solidifying the blue line with strategic formations and tight man-to-man coverage will be essential. Expect the Senators to prioritize shutting down opponents’ star players and blocking shooting lanes, while also mastering swift transitions to counterattacks.
Special teams are set to play a pivotal role in any success the Senators hope to achieve this season. An effective power play strategy, combined with a disciplined penalty kill unit, could swing tight games in their favor. The focus will be on maximizing scoring opportunities and keeping the penalties to a minimum to maintain momentum.
Analyzing opponents and adapting strategies on the fly is something this team is aiming to excel at. The ability to read the opponent’s play style and exploit weaknesses instantly could be a game changer for them, making Ottawa a formidable opponent regardless of who they face.
Final Thoughts
The 2025-26 Ottawa Senators season is one of opportunity. They have a young, emerging core, have made intelligent modest upgrades, and have momentum from a playoff return. The question is: will they seize this window and convert promise into performance?
If they stay healthy, grind out wins, improve their finishing, and maintain defensive structure, they’ll be a legitimate contender for the division title and could begin to carve out a long stretch of sustained success. If not, they’ll still make the playoffs but could again fall short of their ultimate goal.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, speculation is rife about how the Senators will fare. I am forecasting a modest improvement in their standings, with realistic hopes of pushing deep into the playoffs if the team manages to bring its A game consistently.
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