TEAM EDITORIAL

The Ottawa Senators enter the offseason with real momentum but also a few unresolved questions after a busy summer that reshaped the roster. Recent moves have added scoring and depth around the core, with Linus Ullmark anchoring the crease and new forwards such as Dylan Cozens, William Eklund, Andre Burakovsky and Warren Foegele giving the club more options up front. The blue line also looks deeper after the addition of Jordan Spence, while Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Tyler Kleven remain central to the defense corps.

The biggest storyline is less about who arrived than who may still be next in line for a new deal. Drake Batherson’s contract situation has drawn the most attention, with reports suggesting the sides are not close yet, and that uncertainty hangs over the team’s summer planning. Claude Giroux’s return gives Ottawa veteran stability, while the club also continues to lean on a younger group that includes Tim Stützle, Shane Pinto, Ridly Greig and Carter Yakemchuk.

Under Travis Green, the Senators are trying to turn an active offseason into a more balanced roster before training camp. The next meaningful checkpoint is their preseason opener on September 21 in Montréal, where the early look at line combinations and defensive pairings should begin to clarify how competitive this group can be.