NHL training camps are fast approaching, and for many players, it will be a chance to begin familiarizing themselves with their new teammates and systems. The 2026-27 season will be a big one for the Ottawa Senators, as it will be their first without Brady Tkachuk since the team began their rebuild in 2019. Looking to help the Senators transition into their post-Tkachuk era are William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky, although Steve Staios may still be looking for another top-six winger, as he nearly acquired one from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2026 NHL Draft.
However, for those without a contract, September is a difficult month full of uncertainty. Drake Batherson still needs an extension, and if he doesn’t sign one in the next month, he won’t be on the ice when the Senators start training camp. There’s little doubt that a deal will get done, but not everyone is so lucky. Here are five other former Senators still looking for a new home in 2026-27.
David Perron
David Perron was a solid depth player for the Senators, putting up 41 points in 92 games, including 25 in his last 49, before he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings at the 2026 deadline. He provided the stability that the bottom six needed, but a mid-season sports hernia led to the Senators pursuing trade options. After all, he wasn’t in the lineup, and he was unlikely to re-sign with Ottawa. Might as well get something instead of nothing.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson battles with former Ottawa Senators left wing David Perron (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)
Unfortunately, Perron hasn’t received much public interest during the offseason, as he remains unsigned halfway through August. At 38 years old, he likely doesn’t have many years left, and injuries are becoming much more common at this point in his career, making him a riskier addition.
However, Perron still brings valuable experience, grit, and secondary scoring, making him a great candidate for a professional try-out (PTO) once training camps begin. The Toronto Maple Leafs could be a fit for him, as could the Minnesota Wild – two teams with younger cores that have relied on veteran presences in the past.
Vladimir Tarasenko
Speaking of the Wild and veterans, it’s surprising to see Vladimir Tarasenko still on the open market after his 23-goal, 47-point season in Minnesota. Although the six-time 30-goal scorer isn’t in his prime anymore, he still can routinely put the puck in the net in a middle-six role, leading to speculation that he would stay with the Wild. But another change in representation led him to test out free agency for the third time in four seasons, and it hasn’t gone as expected.
At 34 years old, Tarasenko likely won’t see another 80-point season, but he’s far from over the hill. He’s proven that, no matter where he goes, he can be a 20-goal, 40-point player if he stays healthy. In his lone season in Ottawa, he managed 41 points in 57 games before a trade sent him to the Florida Panthers, where he was nearly a point-per-game player to finish the regular season.
Like Perron, Tarasenko could be a top PTO candidate ahead of NHL training camps, and several teams could benefit from a goalscoring middle-six winger, including the Edmonton Oilers. But he could also sign a late deal more to the price tag he was looking for, and with his reputation, someone should be willing to pay up.
Arthur Kaliyev
It felt like Arthur Kaliyev never got a fair shot with the Senators. He was one of the best players for the Belleville Senators last season; his 68 points led the team, he was the sole Belleville representative at the American Hockey League (AHL) All-Star Game, and he led the American Hockey League (AHL) with 40 goals, making him an easy choice for the league’s First All-Star Team. But he got just two cups of coffee with the Senators throughout the season, and wasn’t qualified ahead of free agency.
One issue that limited his games in Ottawa and likely is affecting him on the market was the allegations from a former partner made back in November accusing Kaliyev of a gambling addiction and of stealing money from her to pay off debts. The NHL investigated the matter and found no grounds for discipline, but his reputation appears to have taken a hit. On top of his weaker skating and defensive skills, he might have to look at Europe to continue his career. It’s unfortunate, too, as it looked like the once highly-touted prospect was finally getting his NHL career back on track in Ottawa.
Cam Talbot
The top goaltender remaining among free agents, Cam Talbot isn’t going to save anyone’s crease. At 39 years old, he’s in the twilight years of his career, but he’s not quite ready for retirement, which he proved at the 2026 World Championship of Hockey with Team Canada. Although he played just two games, he won both and recorded a shutout in one. That’s better than he did in Detroit last season, where he finished with a 12-9-6 record and a 3.19 goals-against average (GAA).
However, just two seasons ago, he was an above-average goalie, posting over a .900 save percentage (SV%) with both the Los Angeles Kings and the Red Wings. A rough season in Detroit should discount the fact that he’s a great option for a backup and can string together several starts if a team’s starting goalie goes down with an injury. Someone will call, but it could be a last-minute contract like James Reimer’s last season.
James Reimer
Reimer wasn’t with the Senators for very long, playing just 14 games to finish off the 2025-26 season after it became clear that rookie Leevi Merilainen couldn’t handle the heavier workload behind Linus Ullmark. Few expected Reimer to still be available in January, but the Senators jumped on the chance to add a reliable veteran backup to help stabilize their crease and keep them in the playoff hunt.
Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark received the game-winning puck from James Reimer following a shutout win against the Anaheim Ducks (Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images)
Now Reimer is right back where he was a year ago. He wasn’t great during his time with the Senators, posting a .886 SV%, the worst mark of his career, and at 38, he’s unlikely to improve. But 20 goalies posted worse numbers than him, and with the NHL transitioning to a three-goalie system, there’s a good chance he finds at least another one-year deal. The Penguins could be a fit after trading away Tristan Jarry and losing Stuart Skinner over the offseason.
Mike Reilly
On New Year’s Day, 2020, the Senators made a deal with the Montreal Canadiens, acquiring 24-year-old defenceman Mike Reilly for prospect Andrew Sturtz and a fifth-round pick in 2021. Reilly was a solid addition to the team’s defence corps, and over the next 70 games, he put up 31 points while mostly playing with Artem Zub on the second pair. That made him an attractive deadline target, so the Senators flipped him to the Boston Bruins for a third-round pick in 2022, which was used to select Tomas Hamara.
Since then, Reilly has generally been a bottom-pairing defender for the Bruins, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, and most recently, the Carolina Hurricanes, and while his two assists in two playoff games were enough to get his name on the Stanley Cup, it wasn’t enough to earn him another contract with the reigning champions, especially after Alexander Nikishin’s breakout. Reilly should still find himself on an NHL roster this season, though, as he’s proven he can solidify a blueline no matter where he goes.
Still Time to Find New Homes
Although the new hockey season is nearly upon us, there is still lots of time to sign a new contract. Max Pacioretty, Lee Stempniak, Jimmy Vesey, and several other NHL veterans have turned PTOs into successful NHL contracts. While these six players won’t be back with Ottawa, fans can still wish them well as they head off to the next parts of their careers; that is, as long as they don’t beat the Senators too often.
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