SENSNEWS

We’re now halfway through the month of August, and that means the Ottawa Senators’ training camp is on the horizon. With that in mind, there are a few names with some intrigue around them heading into camp.

The Senators’ roster does not have many spots open for players in Belleville or from free agency. It’s unlike years past, when the bottom six had plenty of positions up for grabs.

Regardless, there are a few players who may be able to force their way into the lineup. So, with that, let’s take a look at four players to keep an eye on heading into the Ottawa Senators’ 2025–26 training camp.

4 Ottawa Senators to Watch in Training Camp

Arthur Kaliyev

Arthur Kaliyev was one of the few free-agent signings made by the Senators this offseason. While he will likely start the season in Belleville, he could make some noise and force his way into the opening-night lineup.

Kaliyev only played 19 games last season, split between the Ontario Reign of the AHL and the New York Rangers in the NHL. However, he is only a couple of years removed from his 28-point campaign in the 2022–23 season.

Kaliyev’s separating factor is his shot—it’s the biggest reason why he was an early second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

If he can find that scoring touch again, he could serve as an Adam Gaudette-type bottom-six forward.

While it’s unlikely, it isn’t impossible. Kaliyev could make the NHL team if he is able to play up to an NHL standard away from the puck. Most likely, he will be competing for the 13th forward spot.

Carter Yakemchuk

This will be Carter Yakemchuk’s second camp with the Ottawa Senators. He was excellent in rookie camp for the Senators and seems poised to make yet another strong impression with the big club.

While I don’t see a position on the roster yet for Yakemchuk, he is certainly worth watching for other reasons.

The addition of Jordan Spence and the emergence of Nikolas Matinpalo make his road to the NHL difficult.

But make no mistake—he is still the top prospect in the Ottawa Senators’ system. Even if he starts the year with Belleville, he will be crucial to the future of the Senators’ organization.

My hope for Yakemchuk this season is to see him dominate the AHL. Having an impressive camp, and perhaps another strong showing in the preseason, will be the first step toward that goal.

Leevi Meriläinen

Unlike the first two names on this list, Leevi Meriläinen has the inside track to a roster spot with the Ottawa Senators. With Anton Forsberg now a part of the LA Kings, Meriläinen is poised to be the team’s backup goaltender.

Meriläinen’s 2024–25 season was absolutely incredible in both the AHL and NHL. Now, he will have to repeat that brilliance for a full year with the Ottawa Senators—or at least come close to that level.

The biggest concern with Meriläinen was simply the sample size of his performances. Now, training camp and the preseason will give us a greater sample size to evaluate him.

Continued success will be key for Meriläinen. Considering how excellent he was with Ottawa as well as Belleville, I have high expectations for him this season.

Stephen Halliday

Like Arthur Kaliyev, Stephen Halliday will be pushing to crack the bottom six of the Ottawa Senators. Also like Kaliyev, he will be near the top of the list for call-ups in the event of an injury in Ottawa.

Halliday was a leader in the AHL with Belleville last season, scoring 19 goals and recording 51 points in 71 games.

As things stand on paper, he looks poised to be the B-Sens’ first-line centre for this upcoming season.

Up to now, we have had little opportunity to watch Stephen Halliday in a Senators’ uniform. Training camp will offer another chance to see how he stacks up against Ottawa’s best players.

He certainly has the skill and has put up the numbers to warrant NHL ice time.

The question is whether he can force the hand of the management team and coaching staff into giving him a look in the Sens’ bottom six.

Overview

Training camp will serve as a good opportunity to see where several of the Ottawa Senators’ prospects and fringe NHLers stand with the team.

Although training camp and the preseason are often overlooked, there is reason to keep a keen eye on them this year.