1. A legit number one goaltender will be in between the pipes
For years, the Senators have had issues with goaltending. To finally solidify having a true number one goaltender, the Senators traded for Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. Ullmark won the 2023 Vezina Trophy and recorded a 2.28 goal against average in his three years in Boston. Ullmark being in Ottawa will be the biggest reason why the Senators can make the playoffs in 2025.
The Senators have had the ability to score goals for years, but have had issues finding the next number one goaltender on the depth chart after Craig Anderson last played in 2020. Matt Murray and Marcus Horberg were inconsistent in the 2020-21 season. Anton Forsberg appeared to be the next number one goaltender following his 2021-22 season, but has struggled the past two seasons.
Ullmark's 2.57 goals against average last season in Boston was the highest in a season in his three seasons in Boston, but trading for a top goaltender was something the Senators needed to do in order to have success. Ottawa's core pieces can't wait around for the team to develop a goaltender when one became available like Ullmark.
Even with a 2.57 goals against average, Ullmark posted a 22-10-7 record and a .915 save percentage. Ullmark caught the NHL by storm when he was in Boston. A fresh start with a new team could be a good thing for Ullmark, and having the challenge of leading the Senators back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017 can be a high accomplishment for the 31-year-old Swede.
Ullmark will be the key factor to determining Ottawa's success this season for a team that's in a playoff drought. However, goaltending has been needed for the Senators for year and the Senators found their guy with Ullmark to lead them back to the playoffs.