Season Preview – 15. Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators enter the 2024-25 NHL season with cautious renewed optimism, aiming to end their playoff drought that stretches back to 2017. Projected to finish 15th in the league, the Sens are poised to make a serious push for the postseason under a new coaching staff led by Travis Green and a revamped roster. With elite goaltender Linus Ullmark now anchoring the net, a bolstered defensive structure, and a hopefully healthy depth at center, expectations are high for a team that has been steadily building towards contention. Backed by an ambitious management team under GM Steve Staios and a committed ownership group led by Michael Andlauer, this season may finally see the Senators take the next step toward becoming a consistent playoff team.

Season Expectations

Expectations for the Senators are at their highest since their surprise run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2017. This time, however, the roster is built on more than just playoff luck. With a core of talented forwards, defensive stability, and a premier goaltender in Ullmark, the Sens are equipped to compete for a playoff spot in a highly competitive Atlantic Division.

The arrival of head coach Travis Green marks a pivotal shift for Ottawa. Known for being tough but fair, Green is expected to implement a structured system that gets the most out of his players. A clear “coaching bump” is anticipated, with Green instilling discipline and accountability that may have been lacking in previous years. His presence, coupled with an ambitious front office, sets the tone for a season in which simply competing isn’t enough—the goal is to make the playoffs.

Ottawa’s ownership group, led by Michael Andlauer, has shown a commitment to winning, investing heavily in player acquisitions and creating a desirable destination for players. The message is clear: the Senators are no longer just a rebuilding franchise. With playoff aspirations in full focus, the pressure is on for this group to deliver.

Projected Lines

Under the new systems implemented by head coach Travis Green, the projected lines for the Senators are expected to be more balanced and defensively minded. Green’s approach emphasizes structure and accountability, with each line being tasked with contributing to both ends of the ice. The focus will be on tighter defensive play, reducing high-risk situations, and maintaining a solid forecheck, all while ensuring more even ice time distribution across the lineup. This balanced approach should lead to a more consistent effort throughout the lineup, making the Senators a more difficult team to play against.

To clarify, these line projections are meant to only predict the start of the season. With so many potential combinations possible, its almost certain that there are tweaks and additions of new faces by the end of the year. Expect the season to start as such:

Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
David Perron – Josh Norris – Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig – Shane Pinto – Michael Amadio
Noah Gregor – Zach Ostapchuk – Nick Cousins

Jake Sanderson – Carter Yakemchuk
Thomas Chabot – Artem Zub
Tyler Kleven – Nick Jensen

Linus Ullmark
Anton Forsberg

Scratches: Zack MacEwan, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic

Line 1
This can be an extremely effective first line for the Senators if Stützle can prove he is capable of maintaining the center role. Last season, this line only played a small sample size of 158.1 minutes in 58 games together. They were able to post a 53% xGoals % and a net 0.38 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes, which will need to be improved upon to be the top scoring line for Ottawa. Giroux has been taking most of the face-offs and has shown effectiveness with a 58% Face-Off % compared to Stützle’s 46.7%. However, face-offs are only a small component for what makes an elite centerman, and Stützle will need to work on his two-way game down the middle to full embrace the position. Tkachuk is the epitome of a leader and power forward in this league, and if he is able to stay on his trajectory, then another 30+ goal campaign should come relatively easy. Giroux can be described as the brain of this team. His poise and veteran presence allows the entire group to find focus, buckle down in critical moments, and bring a calmness when anxiety is at a high.

Line 2
One of the better additions the Senators made this offseason was signing Perron to a two-year, $8.0 million contract in free agency. He is a veteran of 1131 regular season games with 310 goals and 768 points in that span. Even at 36 years old, his compete level has never tarnished and he will also bring a steady veteran leadership that will pave the way for the younger core. Norris has shown so much potential in his young career, which even earned him a eight-year, $63.6 million contract a few years ago. However, injuries and inconsistencies have piled up for the young centerman, and in the last four seasons he has only been able to play 180 out of 328 possible games. It will be crucial for Norris to final have a full 82 game season under his belt, surpassing his career high of 66 games back in the 2021-22 campaign. Without Norris competing and playing at the level he is capable of, the Senators depth will be tested, something which they cannot afford if they have eyes on the post-season. Batherson has been a steady top-six winger for the Senators the last three seasons, where he has shown his speed, scoring touch, and powerplay expertise. If he is able to round out his defense play, he will be able to supply a strong two-way presence capable of providing offense or shutting down top opponents in crucial situations.

Line 3
This is a line that is capable of becoming a thorn in every opponents side throughout the season. Greig took a massive step last year and showed he is a capable middle-six player who is an agitating pest with skill. He not only brings versatility being able to play wing or center, but he has speed, grit, and can play on both special team units if need be. If he is able to take a step this year, the secondary scoring issues for the Senators will be well in the past. Pinto missed half of the season last year due to his suspension early on. As soon as he came back into the lineup, it was obvious the impact he has on the team as a whole. He is a big right-handed centerman who has a natural two-way ability that fits perfectly for a third line role, and even can play higher up depending on matchups. If he is able to stay in the lineup for a full season, there is no ceiling too high for him, plus he will be determined to makeup for time lost last year. Amadio was a sneaky signing by management this offseason. Having won a cup with Vegas Golden Knights two seasons ago, he brings a reliable defensive-first responsibility to the bottom-six to balance out the top-nine. He will likely be used as a specialist for the penalty kill that was simply horrible last season, and can also bring a scoring touch in an offensive cycle situation.

Line 4
Last year the Senators saw a fourth line that was a carrousel, so many players revolving in and out, and no real stalwart to bring an identity to an energy line. That will change this year with three new faces looking to bring stability to the bottom-six. Gregor has a tremendous amount of speed and is a penalty kill specialist that can generate a rush or breakaways simply due to how quick he is. Do not expect much offensive from him, but he will be able to not only shut down powerplays, but capitalize on opponents mistakes in a blink of the eye. Ostapchuk seems to have carved out the fourth line center role for himself. He is a big body standing at 6’3″ 205lbs, with a knack for checking and eating pucks when he can. He might be used for penalty kill situations as well, depending on how well he adjusts to a full-time NHL role, but he should be capable to play at least on the third line if injuries take over. Cousins holds the same identity as Greig, just with less offensive capabilities. He is one of the most provoking players in the league, and is sure to get under the opponents skin with a relentless forecheck and commitment to finishing every check. Finally it seems the Senators have a stable fourth line that represents an identity that opponents will hate to play against.

Pair 1
This may be a hot take, but Yakemchuk should not only make the Senators opening night roster, but should be a top pair defenseman next to Sanderson. While it may be far fetched or an outright illusion, Yakemchuk has shown during this pre-season that he is capable of crunching heavy minutes, joining a rush to create odd man opportunities, or having enough poise to dictate play himself. It seems as though the coaching staff is already favouring his style of play, as he is averaging just over 20 minutes per game, leading the team ins coring, and being used for all situations. He has a lethal shot, big frame, and two-way IQ that might prove to be the best out of all the right sided defenseman on the current roster. Sanderson has already shown a foundational chemistry with Yakemchuk, and they may be able to build something special as the season progresses. Sanderson is poised to take a massive step this year, so it may be wise to match him with more of a stable partner like Zub. However, with the capabilities and potential that Sanderson possesses, he can no doubt be effective even with a young rookie like Yakemchuk by his side., which in turn will create more balance throughout the pairings.

Pair 2
Chabot has been the longest serving member of this current Senators roster, entering his 9th season with the club. At times, he has shown flashes of brilliance that may have harmed him in the long run, since coaching staff’s have thrusted him into substantial roles that have hindered his total effectiveness. Now with Sanderson vying to be the new leader on the back end, Chabot is able to take a backseat approach and fall back into the style that made him successful early on in his career. Having Zub next to Chabot could be extremely fruitful under a new defensive structure provided by Travis Green. Last season, this paring was only together for a total of 128.7 minutes, and they only managed to post a 45.1% xGoals % and a poor net -0.55 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes. Nevertheless, with balance being the key to the construction of this roster, this pairing should find a rebound season focused on shutting down top matchups with functional ice-time.

Pair 3
After discovering Jakob Chychrun was not a fit in the top-four pairings last season, the Senators traded him to the Washington Capitals for Nick Jensen. This swap left a lot of fans around the league speculating why the Senators would have sold low on a solid defenseman like Chychrun after paying a kings ransom for him prior. Yet, when we look at the fact that zero defenseman will be asked to play on their off side, and stick to their natural fitting handiness, it is a move that could create sustained defensive balance that the Senators are desperate for. Jensen is a veteran who will need to have strategic matchups in order to showcase his defensive-first abilities. If he is relied on too heavily in a higher role, it could prove to be detrimental to his effectiveness as a penalty kill cornerstone. Also, Kleven is a rookie who should be able to fit in seamlessly into a bottom pairing role, and with a veteran presence like Jensen to cover his mistakes, it could be a match made in heaven for at least this season.

Goalies
This position will either make or break the Senators season. Last year, Ottawa was relying on a tandem of Jonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg to get the job done. It proved to be a disaster. Korpisalo finished the year 2nd last out of every goaltender that played in the league, with a -16.1 Goals Saved Above Expected. The fault is not solely on Korpisalo, yet there were times his play was the obvious difference between wins and losses. Insert Ullmark into the starters role this year and it becomes the difference between night and day. Last season. Ullmark finished 7th overall in the league with a 14.8 Goals Saved Above Expected, a difference of 30.9 Goals Saved Above Expected from him and Koprisalo. There may not be any positional upgrade around the league that provides such a substantial difference in comparisons from last season. Forsberg was the Senators best goalie last season, even if he did hold a -7.3 Goals Saved Above Expected. His work load this season will be entirely in a backup role, which should benefit him greatly since he has shown he can steal a game when he is not relied to carry most of the load throughout a season.

Scratches
The Senators have a plethora of bottom-tier NHL depth pieces that will likely see some action as the season progresses and inevitable injuries take place. MacEwan is an effective fourth line identity player, but does not carry the skill set to be a specialist on the penalty kill or elsewhere. He will likely be on the outside looking in when the season starts, hoping to find a seat when the opportunity arises. Bernard-Docker ended up playing 72 games for the Senators last year, and even had stints in top-four roles. However, with the anticipated breakout of Yakemchuk, and Bernard-Docker having a difficult start to pre-season, it is more than possibly to see him start the year as a scratch while Yakemchuk is given at least a 9-game trial. Hamonic seems to be a veteran locker room guy, that will likely only see playing time if injuries arise. He has lost a step and is not effective as he once was, but his presence and character will provide a positive environment for the entire team.

Keys to Success

One of the major components for the Senators this season will be the presence of Ullmark between the pipes. Acquiring an elite goaltender like Ullmark provides stability and confidence for a team that finished seventh-last in the NHL for goals against last season. Ullmark’s ability to steal games and keep Ottawa in tight contests could be the difference-maker in a playoff push. His consistency is something the Senators have sorely lacked in recent years, and with a more balanced defense in front of him, Ullmark should thrive.

Another crucial factor will be the consistency in center depth. Having a healthy Josh Norris for a full season, after injury woes hampered him last year, could transform Ottawa’s attack. Coupled with Shane Pinto, who missed half the previous season due to suspension, the Senators have their strongest center depth in years behind star Tim Stützle. Norris and Pinto’s ability to drive the play from the middle will be key to sustaining offensive pressure and creating balanced scoring after the first line.

Defensively, Ottawa will need to continue to build on a new system under Travis Green. Last season, the Senators had the fourth-worst penalty kill in the league, an area that must improve if they want to contend for the playoffs. The more balanced defensive pairings should help the Senators be more structurally sound and limit the opposition’s high-danger scoring chances, which should in turn, ease the burden on Ullmark. If the Senators can become a stronger defensive team, they’ll not only win more games but also shore up special teams, which has been a significant weakness.

Potential Downfall

While optimism runs high, several potential pitfalls could derail the Senators season. Injuries, particularly to key players like Josh Norris, could severely impact Ottawa’s offense. Norris has dealt with significant injury problems in the past, and his health will be crucial for the Senators success. If Norris cannot stay healthy, it puts a lot of pressure on Stützle and Pinto to pick up the slack at center, which could expose Ottawa’s lack of depth in their system.

Another concern is the team’s reliance on Ullmark to fix all their goaltending issues. While Ullmark is an elite netminder, the Senators cannot solely depend on him to compensate for defensive lapses. If the defensive structure falters or if Ullmark struggles with injury, the team could quickly slide down the standings. Defensive balance is improved, but Ottawa’s blue line, while more stable than in previous years, may not yet be capable of truly elite play.

Lastly, there’s always the challenge of new systems and coaching changes taking time to fully settle. While Travis Green is expected to make an immediate impact, it’s not a guarantee that the team will seamlessly adjust to his style right away. If the Senators struggle to adapt, particularly in the early stages of the season, they may find themselves playing catch-up in a competitive division like we have seen in recent years.

Future Outlook

The future of the Ottawa Senators rests heavily on the shoulders of their young core, with players like Tim Stützle, Shane Pinto, and Jake Sanderson expected to take on bigger roles throughout the 2024-25 season. Stützle has already established himself as a star, but this season will require even more from him as he continues to grow into a top-tier player. Pinto, returning after missing half of last season, will be a key piece down the middle, providing the Senators with much-needed center depth. Sanderson, entering his third season and the first year of his massive eight-year, $64.4 million extension, will be counted on to anchor the defense and elevate his game as a reliable two-way defender.

In addition to their established young talent, the Senators have several other young players eager to make significant impacts in their respective roles. Ridly Greig, Zach Ostapchuk, and Tyler Kleven are all poised to step into more prominent positions this year. Greig’s tenacity and work ethic make him a versatile forward who could become an important depth scorer, while Ostapchuk brings size and skill that could earn him regular minutes on the fourth line. On the blue line, Kleven is expected to bring physicality and steady defensive play on the third pairing, complementing the more offensive-minded defensemen on the roster.

Another exciting development is the rise of the Senators top draft pick this year, Carter Yakemchuk. After an impressive preseason showing so far, Yakemchuk is on pace to crack the roster and could potentially find himself in a top-pairing role alongside Jake Sanderson to start the season. If he continues to impress, Yakemchuk could quickly establish himself as a cornerstone of Ottawa’s defense moving forward.

Beyond the players already on the roster, the Senators have a strong group of prospects developing in their system. Names like Stephen Halliday, Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Boucher, Tomas Hamara, Jorian Donovan, Gabriel Eliasson, and Mads Sogaard represent the next wave of talent, many of whom could challenge for NHL spots in the coming seasons. Sogaard, in particular, is a highly regarded goaltending prospect who could eventually form a formidable tandem with Linus Ullmark starting next season.

Final Thoughts

The Ottawa Senators are on the verge of taking a significant step forward this season. With a new coaching staff, an elite goaltender, and improved roster depth, the pieces are in place for Ottawa to make its long-awaited return to the playoffs. While there are potential obstacles, the Senators have the talent and the commitment from their leadership to overcome them. Whether or not they make the postseason, this season will mark a turning point for a franchise that is finally heading in the right direction after years of rebuilding. The Senators are a team on the rise, and this season could be the beginning of something special in the nation’s capital.