A busy summer has left the Ottawa Senators with a very different look, and the pressure is squarely on the group that will carry them into the season ahead.
The most jarring move came on July 7, when franchise icon Daniel Alfredsson stunned the hockey world by leaving the Senators to join the coaching staff of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alfredsson had already told Ottawa he would not be back this coming season, and both sides say he simply wanted a new challenge with his contract expired. Still, the choice landed with a thud because of where he ended up.
Owner Michael Andlauer says Alfredsson is welcome back to the Senators organization anytime, and that figure seems to be the feeling around the club as well. Even so, this is the kind of departure that will keep drawing attention.
Ottawa’s front office also made one of its boldest roster swings by moving the 2026 No. 9 overall pick it had acquired from the Panthers in the Tkachuk deal to the Sharks. In return, the Senators landed speedy winger Eklund, forward prospect Kasper Halttunen and the rights to unsigned draft pick Brandon Svoboda.
Eklund’s arrival has generated plenty of buzz for good reason. He put up 15 goals and 38 assists for 53 points in 78 games with San Jose last season, and the Stockholm native is also looking forward to being reunited with former Sharks teammate Fabian Zetterlund.
Not every addition has come with the same level of excitement. Burakovsky, who arrived from the Chicago Blackhawks, has drawn far less attention despite the fact Ottawa is taking on his $5.5-million U.S. cap hit.
He had a rough season and there was a feeling in Chicago that he might be bought out of the final year of his deal. Instead, the Senators are betting he can get back on track under their coaching staff.
He should have plenty of motivation, too, with a contract on the line. Even so, this one comes with plenty of uncertainty.
The goaltending picture also changed in a meaningful way when Ottawa brought in Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who had only recently acquired him from the Philadelphia Flyers. The move surprised some around the league, but executives believe Ersson needed a fresh start and could thrive in Ottawa. He signed a two-year deal worth $2.2 million per season.
The Senators viewed the need for a dependable backup behind Linus Ullmark as a lesson from last season, and Ersson is now in position to fill that role.
Another familiar face staying put matters just as much. Giroux, who has 85 goals and 242 points in 337 NHL games with the Senators, remains one of the league’s best faceoff men after winning 62 per cent at the dot last season. He also has close ties with Chabot and Stutzle, and losing him would have left a real hole in the room.
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The organization has tried to reinforce the group around him with additions such as William Eklund, Andre Burakovsky and Samuel Ersson, giving the lineup more support as Sttzle takes on a bigger presence. The real question now is not whether he can still drive offense, but how much of the Senators direction he can shape as the pressure to lead becomes part of the job. [Read more 🡒]