Senators depth chart 2.0: Projecting the lineup after subtle offseason tweaks

New York Times

09-07-2025

Once we pass the first few days of July, it usually means offseason moves and activity should be at a minimum. But this summer some people, like NHL agent Allan Walsh, seem to think otherwise.
There is approximately $275 Million of available cap space remaining within the system for next year. The most common comment from NHL teams right now – 'we have the cap dollars but no players to spend them on.' Watch for the trade market to heat up next week.
— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) July 5, 2025
At this stage, it remains to be seen whether the Senators will wade into those trade waters, even if that likely remains the best path if they want to improve scoring. The team already traded to acquire defensive depth in Jordan Spence during the weekend of the NHL Draft, but Senators general manager Steve Staios says he's not likely to make many more moves this offseason.
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Of course, that doesn't mean Staios will throw his phone in the Ottawa River and say no to trade possibilities as they happen. Staios even told reporters that the Spence addition wasn't on his radar until closer to the draft.
But until something else unexpected pops up, this new depth chart will have to do as we settle further into summer mode at The Athletic.
First AHL call-ups: F Stephen Halliday, F Hayden Hodgson, F Zack MacEwen, F Olle Lycksell
Zetterlund and Giroux's spots will be of keen interest entering camp. Is Zetterlund better served on the right side with Stützle? Or does he play to the left of Cozens, where he got time in the playoffs? In any case, with Zetterlund signed and the Senators hopeful in his offensive game, he is not a player the Senators will try to ease in on the fourth line.
Giroux's versatility will serve him well on any line he's placed on. But for now, we've slotted him as a third-liner with Greig and his pupil, Pinto, allowing him to still play on the right side and somewhat shelter his minutes as he enters his age-38 season. Michael Amadio is penciled in on the team's fourth line, but could also return to the third and re-establish chemistry with Pinto and Greig.
For those who feel Perron should be further down the lineup (as we had it in our last depth chart), there's some logic behind why he sticks on the second line with Cozens and Batherson for now. As long as Cousins remains healthy, he'll likely occupy the team's fourth-line left-wing spot. If Perron is healthy and plays anything like what he did in March and the playoffs, there are worse places for him to be than second-line left wing to start the year. But Ottawa could still use another scoring option up front.
Ottawa filled its fourth-line centre vacancy with veteran and 2018 Stanley Cup champion Lars Eller, who has shown his value as a secondary contributor and penalty killer. Eller is also a career 50.3 percent faceoff man — he had a 52.2 percent win rate last season, split between Pittsburgh and Washington. If the Senators make the playoffs again in 2025-26, Eller's veteran presence will be another one to lean on in their dressing room.
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If Ottawa needs size in its call-ups, they needn't look further than MacEwen and Hodgson, who both saw time in the NHL last year. Halliday showed promise in the AHL last season — if he makes a jump in his play, does he give himself a fighting chance to be Ottawa's 13th forward? Senators fans who'd like any bit of hope from their prospect pipeline would certainly enjoy seeing it.
First AHL call-ups: LHD Donovan Sebrango, RHD Lassi Thomson, RHD Carter Yakemchuk
We've kept the defensive pairings the same from version 1.0. We'll keep the same caveat, too: Let's all be pleasantly surprised together if (or when) the Senators put Spence on a top pairing with Sanderson and let everyone else slide down on the right-hand side. Spence had success analytically with the Kings last season in sheltered minutes. But he wants a bigger role, which facilitated his move out of Los Angeles. His placement on the Senators' depth chart will become an early storyline once training camp begins in September.
For those curious about Spence on a top pairing with Sanderson, what do you think of these?
Sanderson-Spence
Chabot-Zub
Kleven-Jensen
Matinpalo
The Senators are 'cautiously optimistic' that Jensen could be ready for training camp. But having him play third-pairing minutes with the younger Kleven could be an interesting way to ease him back into the lineup, while Chabot and Zub could play on a second pair.
Ottawa will have some depth options with some intrigue entering a new season. Sebrango made a cameo appearance in the NHL this past year, so he could be a candidate for fill-in minutes if a chance comes. But Thomson, the Senators' first-round pick from 2019 who played well in Sweden last year, is back after posting good offensive totals with the Malmö Redhawks last year. I'm not completely sure about his chances for the team's seventh defenceman spot with Matinpalo already in it as a right-shot.
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Of course, there's Yakemchuk. The youngster is likely destined for the American League for his first taste of professional hockey, which isn't a bad thing. His offensive talent will give him a chance in camp. But the Senators want to see improvement in his defensive game. The AHL will give him quality time to show and prove that he's made those gains. No need for Ottawa to rush him, unless he undeniably makes the front office think twice about sending him down to the minors.
First AHL call-ups: G Mads Sogaard
Ullmark will enter his first year of a four-year, $33 million contract that carries a no-move clause and should keep him in Senators colours through 2029, leaving little doubt who will start in goal come Game 1 of the regular season. The newly extended Merilainen, who played admirably in 12 appearances last season to keep the Senators' ship afloat, is the No. 2 behind Ullmark after Anton Forsberg signed with the Kings in free agency.
The Senators now have Hunter Shepard for veteran stability in the AHL and Jackson Parsons as another rookie goalie on their depth chart. But if Ullmark or Merilainen go down, Sogaard — to whom Staios gave a public vote of confidence last month — is likely the next man up.
(Top photo of Kleven, left, and Eller: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)