The Ottawa Senators have reduced their training camp roster by 17 players through a combination of waivers and reassignments to junior leagues and their AHL affiliate in Belleville. The moves, announced on September 25, 2025, bring the total number of players remaining in camp to 31. This is the lowest roster count in the league, with over a week remaining until opening night rosters are due.
Five players were placed on waivers: forwards Wyatt Bongiovanni and Garrett Pilon, defenseman Cameron Crotty, goaltender Hunter Shepard, and Xavier Bourgault. If they clear waivers, they will be assigned to Belleville. Bourgault, a 2021 first-round pick, is now waiver-eligible after three seasons without making a significant impact in the NHL. His lack of development at the professional level has raised questions about his NHL potential.
Additionally, eight players have been directly assigned to Belleville: forwards Tyler Boucher, Jake Chiasson, and Oskar Pettersson; defensemen Djibril Toure, Matthew Andonovski, Jorian Donovan, and Tomas Hamara; and goaltender Jackson Parsons. Four players attending Senators' training camp on AHL deals were also reassigned to Belleville: Jamieson Rees, Phillippe Daoust, Landon Hookey, and Keean Washkurak.
Prior to these cuts, the Senators had already trimmed their roster by sending defenseman Gabriel Eliasson, forward Blake Vanek, and defenseman Eerik Wallenius back to their respective junior clubs.
The Senators' general manager and president of hockey operations, Steve Staios, along with head coach Travis Green, are aiming to reduce the roster to a workable number with the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 9, 2025, rapidly approaching. Green noted the importance of balancing opportunities for players to make the team or be on the call-up list with providing veterans the chance to prepare for the season.
With Drake Batherson sidelined for at least two weeks due to a pulled muscle, an unexpected forward spot has opened up, creating competition among the remaining players.
The remaining players in the Senators' training camp consist of three goalies, ten defensemen, and eighteen forwards. The team is preparing for two neutral-site exhibition games in Quebec City.
