Ottawa Senators’ Free Agent Strategy for 2025-2026 Season
As the Ottawa Senators gear up for the 2025-2026 season, much of their summer free agent strategy appears to be settled. The team has successfully locked in key unrestricted free agents (UFAs) such as Lars Eller and Arthur Kaliyev, while also retaining several important players including Fabian Zetterlund, Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins, Tyler Kleven, Nik Matinpalo, and goaltender Leevi Meriläinen.
Addressing Restricted Free Agents
Although General Manager Steve Staios has completed most of the free agent transactions, he still needs to address a few restricted free agents (RFAs), including Max Guenette, Xavier Bourgault, Jan Jeník, and Donovan Sebrango, who have all been extended qualifying offers.
Future Contract Extensions
With several Senators players now in line for contract extensions, attention is gradually shifting towards the 2026 free agency class, similar to how Ottawa’s summer thunderstorms creep into the scene. The recent one-year contracts signed by Giroux, Cousins, and Meriläinen indicate that their agents will soon return to negotiations, especially knowing that the two forwards may prefer short-term deals for the duration of their careers.
In contrast, Meriläinen stands out as an RFA with potential long-term prospects in Ottawa, earning significantly less than veteran goaltender Linus Ullmark despite his commendable performance in limited game time last season.
Evaluating Aging Veterans
Staios faces the challenging responsibility of evaluating his aging veterans, namely Giroux, David Perron, Lars Eller, and Nick Jensen, all of whom are over 35 and playing on contracts set to expire. Their wealth of experience could prove invaluable if the Senators remain competitive for a playoff berth.
While Giroux, Perron, and Eller have expressed satisfaction in continuing with the franchise, Jensen’s future remains uncertain as the organization assesses his performance, particularly regarding his recent hip surgery.
Emerging Talent: Pinto
Pinto is another RFA who has been making headlines. At just 23 years of age, he played mainly on the third line last season, missed time due to injury, yet still managed to rank fourth in goals for the team, reflecting his potential impact. He is seen as an emerging talent with the ability to compete for a more prominent role, possibly challenging Dylan Cozens for the second-line center position—a move that would inevitably come with financial implications given Cozens’ lucrative contract.
Management’s Balancing Act
The Senators’ management is navigating through a complex roster situation, trying to balance development, talent retention, and financial planning for impending roster changes. Staios typically favors handling contractual matters in the off-season, though there have been exceptions like Pinto’s previous contract negotiations.
As the Senators look to the future, aligning their strategies will be crucial in solidifying the team’s foundation and maximizing its success in the years to come. This careful calculation is akin to a chess game—constantly balancing current moves while strategically anticipating future challenges.
Reported by Steve Warne for The Hockey News-Ottawa
