For the first time since their double overtime loss in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, the Ottawa Senators returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

After flirting with a post-season spot for the past few seasons, they were finally able to return and were immediately thrown into the fire, as they had a match-up with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Let’s take a look at how the Senators’ 2024-25 season went, what they’ve done so far this off-season, and how their team shapes up come October.

How the season went

The Senators finished pretty comfortably in a post-season spot, as they had a 45-30-7 record for 97 points, sixth-most in the Eastern Conference. They fell just one point shy of the Florida Panthers for third in the Atlantic Division.

On an entertainment level, it’s good they finished in the first wild card spot, as it set up the first Battle of Alberta against the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since 2004, as well as the Battle of Florida.

The young Senators were nervous, as they fell 6-2 in Game 1 to go down 1-0 in the series. They played better in Game 2, overcoming a 2-0 deficit, but Max Domi scored an overtime winner for the 3-2 victory.

A team is never truly out of it until they lose at home, which is the fate the Senators suffered in Game 3. Once again, the two Ontarian teams were locked up at two, needing overtime to settle it. This time, Simon Benoit put the Senators away just over a minute into the extra frame.

With their backs against the wall, the Senators jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but a goal with just over five minutes left by the Maple Leafs tied the game at four. This time, it was the Senators who scored the game-winner in overtime, as Jake Sanderson scored his first career post-season goal.

They took Game 5 by a score of 4-0, and tied Game 6 at two with just over seven minutes left in the game, but the Maple Leafs had an answer, as Max Pacioretty scored less than two minutes later. That turned out to be the game-winning goal, as the Senators fell in six games.

Still, there are a lot of lessons the young team can take away from this post-season push.

Drafted players

The Senators didn’t trade their first-round pick in the 2025 draft, using it to select University of Wisconsin defenceman Logan Hensler, a year removed from drafting Carter Yakemchuk. Because they used this pick, their 2026 first-rounder was forfeited due to sanctions related to a failed trade involving Evgenii Dadonov.

With their third-round pick, the Senators selected Blake Vanek 93rd overall. Yes, Blake is the son of long-time NHLer Thomas Vanek. With the 97th overall pick, the Senators drafted netminder Lucas Beckman from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

In the late rounds, the Senators selected Russian winger Dmitry Isayev in the fifth round, Bruno Idzan with their sixth round pick, and Russian netminder Andrei Trofimov with their seventh round pick.

Trades

The Senators’ lone trade involving a player came on the second day of the draft, moving a 2025 third-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder to the Los Angeles Kings for Jordan Spence. They originally had the 21st overall pick, but moved down two selections and later used the third in the Spence trade.

Moreover, the Senators moved up in the third round, trading the 96th overall pick and a 2027 seventh to the Capitals for the 93rd overall pick.

Free agent signings

In terms of free agency, the Senators agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million with veteran Lars Eller. They also brought in Arthur Kaliyev on a one-year deal worth the league minimum of $775,000.

Before free agency opened, the Senators agreed to terms with veteran Claude Grioux, as the two parties settled on a one-year deal worth $2 million. Restricted free agent Fabian Zetterlund signed a three-year deal worth $4.275 million annually, while the Senators also brought back Nick Cousins.

Departures

The Senators also lost a handful of players, as Adam Gaudette, Travis Hamonic, and Anton Forsberg all signed elsewhere in free agency. Gaudette was the big loss, as he scored a career-best 19 goals last season, with 26 points as well.

Hamonic, a former Calgary Flame, served as a third-pairing defenceman for the Senators for the past four seasons, scoring just one goal and seven points in 59 games last season. As for Forsberg, the netminder signed with the Kings and had a .901 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average in 30 games last season.

What the team looks like heading into 2025-26

The Senators have a solid centre core of Tim Stützle, Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, and Eller. On the left wing, they have Brady Tkachuk, Zetterlund, Ridley Greig, and David Perron, while on the right wing, they have Giroux, Drake Batherson, Michael Amadio, and Cousins. Kailyev could factor into the Senators’ lineup at some point next season as well.

On defence, they’re expected to have Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub on the top pairing. Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen make up the second pairing, while Tyler Klevan and Jordan Spence make up the third pairing.

Between the pipes, Linus Ullmark is their expected starter, with Leevi Meriläinen projected to back him up.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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