SENSNEWS

The Ottawa Senators were not the busiest team this offseason—at least not so far. However, the moves the team has made since the trade deadline have improved the roster by a fair margin.

Ottawa Senators Finally Make Playoffs

Last season, the Ottawa Senators met fan expectations by making the postseason for the first time since 2016–17. The Senators finished with 97 points, good for the first wildcard position in the Eastern Conference.

In the first round, they matched up against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they fell despite putting up a strong fight. The Leafs took the series in six games, ending the Battle of Ontario—and the Senators’ season.

Roster Turnover Since Trade Deadline

But in the few months between the trade deadline and the end of the season, the Senators made some key acquisitions.

Josh Norris, Dylan Cozens Trade

Most notably, they traded centre Josh Norris and defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a second-round pick.

Dennis Gilbert was not re-signed by the Senators. However, Dylan Cozens is under contract until the 2029–30 season at a cap hit of $7.1 million per year.

What Dylan Cozens Provides

Cozens provides 5-on-5 scoring—something the Senators severely struggled with last season. Cozens’ 33 points at even strength between his time with the Sabres and Senators ranked second on the team, tied with defenseman Thomas Chabot.

After being traded to Ottawa, Cozens had a strong finish to the season, recording 16 points in 21 games. This was an encouraging sign of a bounce-back campaign after a disappointing start in Buffalo.

The $850,000 saved annually compared to Norris may not seem like much, but with a salary cap, every dollar matters.

Also, don’t discount the fact that Cozens has so far shown a much greater ability to stay healthy throughout a season compared to Norris—knock on wood.

Fabian Zetterlund Trade

The other key acquisition at the deadline for Ottawa was, of course, Fabian Zetterlund.

Zetterlund was acquired in a package that included Zack Ostapchuk, Noah Gregor, and the Senators’ 2025 second-round pick, in exchange for Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and the Sharks’ 2025 fourth-round pick.

There’s no denying that Zetterlund was snakebitten following the trade to Ottawa. He mustered only two goals and three assists in 20 games with the Senators.

However, Zetterlund was still generating chances at a high rate. He was constantly around the net but just couldn’t seem to finish. This isn’t something I’m overly concerned about heading into the upcoming season.

What Fabian Zetterlund Brings

Even with his slow start in Ottawa, Zetterlund still recorded 41 points over 84 games. His 31 even-strength points would place him in a tie with Drake Batherson for fourth on the team.

With a full training camp and time to adjust to his new surroundings, I see Zetterlund taking a big step forward next season. He should be ready to claim a full-time top-six role.

Growth And Decline Of Current Roster

Of course, some regression is expected from the Senators’ veteran players—Claude Giroux, Nick Jensen, and David Perron most notably. Lars Eller certainly isn’t getting any younger either.

However, that should be outweighed by the development of the team’s young core. Players like Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, Ridly Greig, and Leevi Meriläinen are all still in their early 20s.

And those who are a little older—like Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, and Dylan Cozens—now have playoff experience under their belts. All have spoken about how important that experience is for their growth.

Departures From The Ottawa Senators

This offseason brought more changes. The Senators said goodbye to familiar faces, including Anton Forsberg, Adam Gaudette, and Matthew Highmore—none of whom are considered above replacement level.

Travis Hamonic was also not offered a deal to return. At this point, his position on the depth chart had him below seven or eight other names.

Senators Acquire Jordan Spence VIA Trade

On the trade market, the Senators filled a need on the right side of the blue line by acquiring Jordan Spence from the LA Kings in exchange for a third- and sixth-round pick.

I won’t go into great detail about Spence, as I’ve recently written about him. But in short, he’s a low-risk, high-reward swing on a defender who looks ready to handle top-four minutes alongside someone like Thomas Chabot.

Lars Eller Signed In Free Agency

In free agency, the Senators added some depth up front by bringing in Lars Eller. Let’s not pretend Eller is anything more than a fourth-line center at this point, but in a defensive role, he can still be effective.

Prospects Banging On The Door

Prospects like Carter Yakemchuk and Stephen Halliday will also be knocking on the NHL door. I don’t expect either to make the team out of training camp, but both could serve as quality call-up options when needed.

Leevi Meriläinen is also preparing for his first season as an NHL backup—most likely. He earned a one-way deal with the Senators and appears set to back up Linus Ullmark at the NHL level.

If Meriläinen can come close to replicating last season’s success, the Senators may have one of the best goaltending tandems in the league.

I don’t expect him to fully match that level, but even consistent average goaltending would be considered a win.

A new standard has been set in Ottawa—one that every member of the organization is expected to meet. From the management team down to the bottom of the depth chart, everyone is expected to give 100% effort.

It’s a good time to be an Ottawa Senators fan. Here’s to hoping for another successful season and a step forward in 2025–26.