The Ottawa Senators are entering the 2025-26 NHL season with heightened expectations after making the 2025 Playoffs. Here's a look at some of the latest news and rumors surrounding the team:
Rising Prospects
The Senators' training camp is underway, with intense competition for roster spots between seasoned veterans and hungry prospects. Several young players are looking to make a splash this season. Carter Yakemchuk, drafted seventh overall in 2024, has impressed with his offensive skills and could potentially earn a roster spot if he has an exceptional camp. Stephen Halliday and Tyler Boucher are also prospects who could contribute with depth scoring and steady minutes. Other prospects who had strong showings at the prospect tournament include Jorian Donovan and Xavier Bourgault.
The team's core players, including Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Jake Sanderson, continue to develop. If Stützle and Tkachuk reach their peak potential and Dylan Cozens performs well as a second-line center, the Senators could boast one of the deepest offensive groups in the Eastern Conference.
Spence's Boost
The Senators acquired defenseman Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Spence, a right-shot defenseman, is known for his puck-moving abilities and offensive playmaking. He tallied 28 points in 79 games with the Kings last season. The acquisition of Spence is viewed as a strong move for the Senators. Some believe he could slide into a spot on the right side alongside Thomas Chabot.
Spence's addition bolsters the Senators' defense, which already features a solid core of Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Artem Zub, and Nick Jensen. With Spence and Tyler Kleven stepping up, the blue line looks deeper and more competitive. He joins a team where his role had slipped with the Kings and hopes to have a bigger role as an everyday player.
LeBreton Arena Update
The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC) have finalized an agreement for the sale of 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of land at LeBreton Flats for the construction of a new arena. The agreement is a significant step toward bringing a major events center and arena district to LeBreton Flats. The new arena would provide the Senators with a more central location compared to their current home at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata.
The agreement allows for zoning, design, and approvals to proceed, along with decontamination of the site to prepare for construction. The Senators signed a memorandum of understanding with the NCC in June 2022 to develop LeBreton Flats. The new arena is part of a broader vision for LeBreton Flats, which will include over 6,000 housing units, parks, and public spaces.
Despite this progress, there are still hurdles to clear before construction can begin. Team owner Michael Andlauer has stated that public support is necessary for the new arena to become a reality. The cost of decontaminating the land could also be a significant factor. The Senators have been working towards a new arena for several years, including a previous bid that fell apart in 2018. The current Canadian Tire Centre is located approximately 25 kilometers west of Ottawa's downtown core.
