Will the Ottawa Senators forward group in 2025-26 improve upon the 2024-25 iteration? That is for the games to decide, but we are a long way, away from that point. So, let’s put on our best psychic hat, and get to work. But just how could we possibly go about answering such a question?

Understanding the Forwards the Ottawa Senators Added for 2025-26 as Free Agents

Let’s take a look at the newcomers. First of all, Lars Eller was an external addition. Could you categorize him as an improvement, say over your 2024-25 fourth line? Based on what he has provided throughout an already lengthy NHL career, you’d have to think you give him the benefit of the doubt and say, yes, he is a fourth-line improvement. Eller brings the experience of a Stanley Cup championship from his time with the Washington Capitals. Also, he is a left-shot faceoff guy, something the Sens could use support since losing Joshua Norris.

Eller has been a bottom-six type guy for a long time throughout his career. Therefore, you can use his statistics as a baseline for what to expect. There’s no reason not to expect double-digit goals, in limited ice time. Moreover, besides Eller, what other changes do the Sens have coming for 2025-26?

A Tough, Depth Forward Has Found a New Home Today

The other newcomer for Ottawa, is someone familiar to general manager Steve Staios and even owner Michael Andlauer. Arthur Kaliyev played for the two in junior, winning an OHL championship with the Hamilton Bulldogs. After an impressive rookie campaign, Kaliyev’s career trajectory definitely had trouble taking off. Therefore, he is looking at this as a second lease on NHL life. He’s scored 38 goals in 202 career games, but that’s only in an average of 12:05 of ice time. He has a heavy shot, and will bring grit to the fourth line. Assuming he can find some offensive rhythm, he should provide desired toughness to the Sens bottom six. He’s on a two-way contract, so it is not a risk for the Sens. Perhaps he can replace some of what Adam Gaudette provided in 2024-25.

What About the Subtractions

That brings us to the losses, starting with Gaudette. It was no surprise his 19-goal campaign earned him a pay raise. Moreover, it was money that the Sens couldn’t really justify for their fourth line. Especially so, when the Sens are a team that is somewhat tight on cap space.

The Sens also lost a couple depth, roster guys. Angus Crookshank is now in the New Jersey Devils organization and Matthew Highmore is nearby on the island with the New York Islanders.

On the flip side, there will be some support from lower down on the internal depth charts. Firstly, Hayden Hodgson is signed up for two more years. He brings a physical presence, who can handle himself in any situation. This is the type of guy you want chomping at the bit come springtime hockey. In addition, the Sens prospect list isn’t deep, but it does contain a potential scorer. Stephen Halliday seems like the perfect boost to the Sens middle-six offensive production. The 6’4″ centre had a decent season in his first full professional campaign with the Belleville Senators. He put up 19 goals and 32 assists.

The Ottawa Senator Lifers

One thing for sure, they have a lot of their core returning. The top tier of Brady Tkachuk, and Tim Stutzle are in it, to win it. They will look to continue to build on 2024-25, individually and from a team standpoint. Drake Batherson is another who fits that bill. However, beyond those guys, just what will 2025-26 bring?

One guy that will show noticeable improvement is Fabian Zetterlund. Zetterlund played on the first line, and he played on the fourth line. He scored five points in 20 regular season games for the Senators. Furthermore, he just never hit any eye-test worthy positive, offensive rhythm. However, in the playoffs, he showed he could go flat out and run into objects. That’s a sure-fire way to win Brady over. Captain Brady rather.

Now, the Sens do have players at the opposite end of the spectrum. These are the guys that will not improve their skills, and are at a point of their career, that they could take a step back. That’s is such a tricky aspect of building your roster, and given the Sens makes, doubly as hard for general manager Steve Staios. David Perron, and Claude Giroux highlight this categorization. However, they’ve still shown to be productive offensively, not to mention their invaluable intangibles as leaders.

The big key to answering the question of will you be more successful, is the comparable. How do you compare to your Atlantic Division rivals? How will the balance of power shift, year-over-year.

Florida will stay about the same given their ability to retain the likes of Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones, and Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett. Also, the Montreal Canadiens made the playoffs in 2025, and do not look to take a back seat in 2025-26. Teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs will not anticipate a drop in play. Other teams are looking to turn the corner as well, most notably the Buffalo Sabres. They have made controversial moves, but ultimately, are on the right track given their overall talent and youth.

There’s also the element of unpredictability, say for injuries. How many man games can you safely factor into your total-wins calculation? Maybe that is for closer to the season. In contrast, this Sens team looks very strong, as compared to the last year’s playoff edition. They have players like Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto looking to have improved offensive seasons. There’s lots to like about it, and no reason to expect good things in Ottawa. You know, if we are going by the forward group. Stay tuned as we do likewise, and analyze their backend alignment.

Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images