2026-27 Ottawa Senators Season Preview

The Ottawa Senators enter the 2026–27 season with a reshaped roster after a franchise-altering offseason that saw them trade their captain, add a promising young forward, and retool around their young core. Brady Tkachuk wanting out of Ottawa, and the package of futures they got back in return, will set the Sens back after making the playoffs last season.

Key Additions

William Eklund (LW) – Acquired from San Jose on June 28 in exchange for the No. 9 pick in the 2026 draft. The 23-year-old scored 20 goals and 45 points in 71 games last season, bringing speed, skill, and top-six scoring punch. He’s expected to slot on the second line with Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson.

Andre Burakovsky (LW) – Acquired from Chicago on June 23 in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. The 31-year-old brings veteran depth, physicality, and middle-six scoring.

Samuel Ersson (G) – Acquired from Philadelphia on July 1 in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. The 26-year-old provides goaltending depth behind Linus Ullmark, expected to serve as the backup.

Claude Giroux (C) – Re-signed to a one-year, $2 million deal on July 1. The 38-year-old brings veteran leadership, two-way play, and bottom-six depth, expected to play a fourth-line role.

Nick Cousins (C) – Re-signed to a two-year, $3.17 million deal on July 1. The 33-year-old brings grit, physicality, and bottom-six depth, expected to play a fourth-line role.

Jordan Spence (D) – Re-signed to a four-year, $20 million deal ($5 million AAV) on July 1. The 25-year-old right-shot defenseman brings puck-moving ability, offensive upside, and third-pairing minutes, expected to slot alongside Travis Hamonic.

Key Subtractions

Brady Tkachuk (LW) – Traded to Florida on June 21st for the No. 9 and No. 25 picks in the 2026 draft, a conditional 2029 first, and a 2027 second. The 26-year-old captain had 22 goals and 37 assists in 60 games last season, a significant loss of leadership, physicality, and top-six scoring.

Nick Jensen (D) – Departed in free agency. The 36-year-old had 10 assists in 67 games, removing veteran presence and stability from the third pairing.

Lars Eller (C) – Departed in free agency. The 37-year-old had 10 goals and 18 points in 68 games, a loss of veteran depth and two-way play.

James Reimer (G) – Departed in free agency. The 38-year-old had a 3.14 GAA and .892 save percentage in 30 games, removing veteran goaltending depth.

David Perron (LW) – Departed in free agency. The 38-year-old had 10 goals and 18 points in 68 games, a loss of veteran scoring and depth.

Impact on 2026–27

Eklund adds elite scoring and speed to the top six, while Burakovsky and Ersson bolster forward and goaltending depth. The departure of Tkachuk removes veteran presence and leadership, and creates a big hole in their lineup. Teams in the East have improved this offseason, and the Senators will be in tough to make the playoffs

Salary Cap Situation

Projected cap hit – $99,804,167
Roster – 23/23
Projected cap space – $4,195,833
Deadline cap space – $19,380,752

Ottawa Senators Depth Chart