The Ottawa' Senators' 2025 off-season was a busy one for general manager Steve Staios. From re-signing Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins and Leevi Merilainen, to trading for Jordan Spence, to signing Lars Eller, and many more signings.
Along with acquiring players, the Senators also lost players in the off-season. Anton Forsberg, Cole Reinhardt, Travis Hamonic, Dennis Gilbert and Matthew Highmore were among some of the players the Senators lost this off-season.
With September here, the Senators will play hockey this month for the preseason. The Senators' first game of the upcoming 2025-26 season is scheduled for Oct. 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, with a recent signing, there's one more free agent on the Senators roster for Staios to re-sign.
Guenette only player unsigned after Sebrango signed new contract today
Earlier today, the Senators re-signed defenseman and Ottawa native Donovan Sebrango to a one-year contract. Sebrango played in two NHL games last season for the Senators. With Sebrango re-signed, that puts defenseman Maxence Guenette as the only player on the Senators roster that has yet to re-sign.
Since being drafted 187th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Guenette has only played in eight NHL games. Guenette has spent majority of his Senators tenure in the AHL with the Belleville Senators.
Guenette spent the entire 2024-25 season with Belleville. Last season, Guenette was solid with recording 23 points with a +13 rating for Belleville. Guenette's presence for Belleville was big with his +13 rating being the highest on the roster.
Along with having the highest rating on the roster, Guenette was solid offensively for Belleville. Guenette finished 10th in scoring on Belleville's roster. Among defensemen, Guenette was second in scoring. With Jeremy Davies departing this off-season, Belleville will need offensive scoring from defensemen, and that is where Guenette can raise his game more.
At 24 years old and coming off of a solid season, potential is still there for Guenette. However, Guenette is the last remaining Senator that hasn't been signed before the season starts.
The first Senators' preseason game will be played on Sept. 21 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre.