Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

Redlining: The Ottawa Senators Have Big Structural Problems

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 10:53 AM ET

The Ottawa Senators erased a one-goal deficit and beat the Winnipeg Jets in overtime on Monday. But before last night, they’ve only managed three wins in their past ten, and the standings haven’t been kind. In truth, the mediocre division and close standings offer every Atlantic team some hope. Parity in the Atlantic keeps the gap small, and on paper, the Senators remain close enough to convince themselves they still have a chance to grab a playoff spot.

Seasons aren’t lost on paper. They’re lost in the quiet structural cracks that widen under pressure. And right now, Ottawa has flaws that are failing the stress test.

The Chabot Problem Isn’t Just a Chabot Problem

The most obvious issue is Thomas Chabot’s absence, but the real concern is what that absence exposes. With Chabot in the lineup, the Senators have shape. Without him, they wobble. His minutes aren’t just minutes; they’re stability. He moves pucks, calms the chaos, and allows others to play within themselves.

Remove him, and the team’s entire system tilts. Pair that with Shane Pinto’s absence (he’s the forward who takes the ugly shifts and the hard matchups) and suddenly everyone else is playing slightly out of position, slightly over their heads. And that’s when good teams turn fragile.

The Senators Control Play, But Without Purpose

What’s made this stretch especially frustrating is that Ottawa doesn’t always look bad. They often control play. They outshoot opponents. They spend time in the offensive zone. And then they lose anyway.

This isn’t about effort. It’s about the team’s ability to finish. When chances don’t turn into goals, every mistake at the other end becomes fatal. Over time, that disconnect between “we played well” and “we lost again” erodes belief. Players start gripping sticks. Confidence leaks away quietly.

The Senators Are Redlining Who’s Left

Injuries don’t just remove players; they force overuse. Jake Sanderson is being leaned on too heavily, and you can only push a young defenseman like him so far before he, too, breaks down. The same goes for the older veterans who are managing “older” injuries. There’s no depth cushion on the Senators, just exposed problems.

So, Can the Senators Improve?

There’s no cavalry coming, no magic call-up to fix this. Improvement has to go through survival hockey: simpler exits, fewer risks, and an acceptance that wins might need to be ugly for a while. The Senators don’t need to panic, but they do need to play simple (and effective) hockey.

“Don’t panic” only works if there’s something better coming. Right now, Ottawa is still searching for that something better. The season might be toast before they find it.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: