Navigating the Post-Tkachuk Era: The Ottawa Senators’ 2026

The trajectory of an NHL franchise is rarely a straight line upward. For the Ottawa Senators, the past two seasons have been a masterclass in organizational resilience, testing the patience of a passionate fanbase and the front office alike. After snapping a seven-season playoff drought in the spring of 2025 and pushing the top-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs to a competitive six-game series, the Senators entered the 2025–26 campaign with high expectations. Head coach Travis Green’s defensively stout system, combined with a roster entering its prime, suggested the team was ready to anchor itself securely in the upper echelon of the Atlantic Division.

Yet, the path to the 2026 postseason was anything but straightforward. Despite boasting elite defensive metrics under the steady hand of blueline anchor Jake Sanderson, the Senators found themselves dead last in their division by January 1. The culprit wasn’t structural deficiency, but rather a catastrophic goaltending crisis. Starting netminder Linus Ullmark, battling mental health struggles that included severe panic attacks, was forced to take a leave of absence in late December.

When Ullmark returned refreshed in late January, the effect was immediate. The Senators rattled off an 18-6-4 record from February 1 onward—posting the fourth-best points percentage in the National Hockey League. Fueled by a stellar .926 save percentage from Ullmark in April, Ottawa clawed its way back into the playoff picture, ultimately securing a wildcard berth.

However, the hole dug during the first half of the season proved costly. Their low seeding paired them with a more evolved, structurally similar Carolina Hurricanes team in the first round. Though the sweep was closer than the final scoreline indicated, a swift postseason exit served as a sobering reality check. Worse still for the franchise, the offseason brought sweeping changes that fundamentally altered the team’s identity.

The Blockbuster Trade: Brady Tkachuk Departs for Florida

Questions regarding the long-term future of captain Brady Tkachuk had bubbled beneath the surface for months. Following a triumphant February where he captured Olympic gold with Team USA alongside his brother Matthew, Tkachuk endured a quiet, pointless postseason stat line. While Tkachuk publicly dismissed rumors regarding his commitment to Ottawa during his end-of-season media availability, insiders recognized the growing gravitational pull toward a long-term future alongside his brother in Sunrise.

On Father’s Day, those suspicions were realized. Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a massive haul of draft capital, highlighted by two 2026 first-round selections.

General Manager Steve Staios immediately pivoted to damage control. Unwilling to let the franchise take a step backward after dealing its emotional heartbeat and star forward, Staios flipped one of those top-10 picks to the San Jose Sharks to acquire dynamic young left winger William Eklund. The high-stakes gamble aimed to maintain the status quo, but it left hockey analysts wondering whether the Senators had done enough to keep pace as true Stanley Cup contenders, or if a step back was inevitable.

Roster Retooling: Key Additions and Departures

The summer turnover in the nation’s capital was substantial, characterized by calculated bets on youth and veteran depth to offset major losses.

Additions

William Eklund (LW): Acquired from San Jose via the Tkachuk trade windfall; expected to step into a prominent top-six role.
Andre Burakovsky (LW): Brought in via unrestricted free agency to add proven secondary scoring and playoff pedigree.
Sammy Blais (LW): Adds physical depth and bottom-six grit.
Philip Tomasino (RW): A high-upside winger looking to solidify his place in the middle six.
Kasper Halttunen (RW): Acquired in the San Jose trade, boasting a lethal shot and imposing physical frame.

Departures

Brady Tkachuk (LW): Traded to the Florida Panthers.
Nick Jensen (D): Traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
James Reimer (G): Departed via unrestricted free agency.
Lars Eller (C): Departed via free agency to join Tkachuk in Florida.
Dennis Gilbert (D): Signed with the Buffalo Sabres.
Mads Sogaard (G): Traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Offense: Scoring by Committee

For the 2024–25 season, the Senators earned the moniker "Los Angeles Kings East"—a club exceptional at driving play and generating chances, but notoriously snake-bitten when it came to finishing. Last season, however, those offensive woes began to dissipate.

Ottawa ranked in the league’s top third in nearly every 5-on-5 metric, including shots, scoring chances, and expected goals. Complemented by an improved shooting percentage and the league’s eighth-ranked power play, the Senators quietly finished eighth overall in NHL scoring.

The attack is defined more by versatility and depth than singular superstar gravity. Center Tim Stützle and right winger Drake Batherson led the charge with stellar campaigns, putting up 83 and 71 points respectively (including 34 and 33 goals). While Tkachuk’s departure leaves a physical and leadership void, the addition of Eklund brings elite playmaking speed that seamlessly matches Stützle’s pace.

Down the lineup, Dylan Cozens anchors the second line following a bounce-back 28-goal season, while Shane Pinto manages shutdown assignments on the third line. On the backend, Jake Sanderson’s offensive production continues to catch up to his elite defense, highlighted by a career-high 14 goals last year despite missing 15 games. Combined with the steady presence of veteran Claude Giroux and newly signed scorer Andre Burakovsky, the forward group remains deep. Yet, a glaring reality persists: Ottawa has not rostered a 40-goal scorer since Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley achieved the feat in 2007–08.

Defense: Elite Even-Strength Metrics

While the offensive puzzle features intriguing new pieces, the Senators’ defensive structure remains the crown jewel of the organization.

At even strength, Ottawa was the gold standard in the Eastern Conference last season, surrendering 5-on-5 scoring chances at the lowest rate in the entire NHL. Their expected goals-against rate was similarly dominant. Though they finished a middling 13th in total goals against, that statistic was heavily skewed by early-season goaltending struggles and a shockingly poor 29th-ranked penalty kill (75.7%).

Crucially, the penalty-kill "struggles" were entirely goaltending-induced; Ottawa actually allowed the second-fewest scoring chances in the league while shorthanded. With stable goaltending, that unit is primed for immediate positive regression.

Individually, Jake Sanderson has cemented his status among the league’s elite all-around defensemen. Possessing blistering skating speed and suffocating positioning, Sanderson routinely matches up against opponents’ top lines while limiting high-danger chances. He is partnered with the reliable Artem Zub, while Thomas Chabot finds stability alongside breakout performer Jordan Spence on the second pairing. Supported by elite defensive forwards like Pinto—a perennial Selke Trophy contender—the Senators’ defensive corps is exceptionally stingy when healthy.

Goaltending: The Linus Ullmark Gamble

The crease remains the most volatile variable for Ottawa heading into the 2026–27 campaign. Linus Ullmark’s early-season struggles last year (.881 save percentage across 28 starts) were heavily influenced by off-ice panic attacks. However, looking at his broader career body of work—including a .917 save percentage from 2015 to 2025 and a sensational postseason performance where he led all playoff goaltenders in goals saved above expected—the former Vezina Trophy winner has more than earned the benefit of the doubt.

The true anxiety lies behind Ullmark. The depth chart features newcomer Samuel Ersson and returning netminder Leevi Merilainen, both of whom struggled mightily over the previous two seasons in goals saved above expected metrics. Handing the keys to an undisputed starter who experienced severe mental strain and pressure last season, backed by two of the league’s statistically weakest backups, represents a massive gamble by GM Steve Staios.

Coaching, Rookies, and Burning Questions

Behind the bench, head coach Travis Green continues to instill a disciplined, hard-working identity. However, his staff underwent a notable shakeup following Daniel Alfredsson’s shock departure to join the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Sexton has been elevated to run the power play, a crucial test for maintaining last year’s special-teams gains.

In the prospect pipeline, ranked 25th in the league by Daily Faceoff, defenseman Carter Yakemchuk stands out. Blessed with high-end offensive upside and physical edge, Yakemchuk is pushing for opening-night minutes in sheltered pairings. Meanwhile, newly acquired forward Kasper Halttunen offers a heavy shot and bottom-six potential that could yield in-season call-up value.

Key Questions Facing the Team:

Who assumes the leadership vacuum? With the captaincy currently vacant, players like Sanderson and Stützle are expected to elevate their vocal leadership.
Can William Eklund replace Brady Tkachuk? While Eklund cannot replicate Tkachuk’s power-forward elements, his speed and vision offer a different, highly compatible dynamic alongside Ottawa’s top stars.
Can Thomas Chabot stay healthy? Chabot has only crossed the 70-game threshold once in his last five seasons; maintaining his health is paramount to keeping the top four intact.

Prediction

The Ottawa Senators remain a talented, structured hockey club with or without Brady Tkachuk. In theory, more consistent goaltending should prevent another disastrous October and November. However, losing a player of Tkachuk’s caliber unquestionably alters the team’s ceiling.

Assuming the loss of Tkachuk and the projected improvements in net offset one another, the most realistic projection for Ottawa is another hard-fought campaign culminating in a wildcard berth in the hyper-competitive Eastern Conference.