Lassi Thomson Linked To Swiss League

After spending last season in Sweden, the Senators elected to bring back defenseman Lassi Thomson for this season.  The hope was that he might be able to play his way higher on Ottawa’s depth chart and perhaps see some NHL action.

However, that hasn’t been the case.  Aside from a brief recall to the big club that didn’t result in NHL action, the 25-year-old has played exclusively with AHL Belleville in 2025-26.  Through 33 games, Thomson has been reasonably productive with seven goals and six assists.

However, with his fate now seemingly solidified as a minor leaguer, Thomson appears to be pondering his next change of scenery.  Expressen’s Johan Svensson reports that the blueliner is looking to play with HC Lugano in Switzerland next season, suggesting that a contract might already be in place.

Thomson’s team from last season, Malmö of the SHL, has also shown interest in bringing him back into the fold.  While that doesn’t appear to be happening for next season, it could still happen for the stretch run.  Svensson notes that Thomson is technically under contract there for this year (he exercised an NHL out clause to rejoin the Senators) and that the defenseman is amenable to return to Sweden this season.  Speculatively, that would come in the form of a contract termination in order to clear his minor league salary off Ottawa’s books.

If such a move doesn’t materialize, Thomson will be eligible for Group Six unrestricted free agency next summer so Ottawa will be losing his rights anyway.  A first-round pick (19th overall) in 2019, Thomson has just 18 NHL games under his belt, a number that doesn’t appear likely to increase for the foreseeable future with him having an eye on overseas opportunities once again.