The Ottawa Senators had high hopes for Zack Ostapchuk when they drafted him 39th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. However, Ostapchuk's tenure in Ottawa went rough.
Ostapchuk went on to play in 50 games with the Senators and recorded four points during his tenure. This past March, Ostapchuk's tenure in Ottawa ended when he was traded away to the San Jose Sharks in part of the Fabian Zetterlund trade.
Being traded away to the Sharks offered as a fresh start for Ostapchuk. However, more results from the AHL Playoffs showed the Senators were right to trade away the 21-year-old forward from St. Albert, Alberta.
Ostapchuk goes pointless in AHL Playoffs
After being traded to the Sharks, Ostapchuk recorded no points in 13 games played. Even with recording no points with the Sharks in the regular season, Ostapchuk had a chance to redeem himself for the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL Playoffs.
However, it was the same result from the regular season to the AHL Playoffs for Ostapchuk. While playing in all six games for the Barracuda, Ostapchuk went pointless with a -5 rating.
This past Thursday, Ostapchuk and the Barracuda were eliminated from the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs after losing to the Colorado Eagles in four games in the Semifinals.
For Ostapchuk to go pointless in 19 combined games in the NHL and AHL with San Jose, that is a win from the Senators perspective. Ostapchuk became unplayable and had a hard time developing in Ottawa this past season.
Before being traded this past March, Ostapchuk recorded four points in 43 games on the season. The Senators were hoping for more from Ostapchuk, but weren't getting it.
Despite Zetterlund recording five points in 20 games after being acquired in the trade and going pointless in the 2025 playoffs, Zetterlund showed more promise at 25 years old in Ottawa.
Zetterlund is a restrcited free agent this Summer. Despite some struggles, Zetterlund still has potential to show more promise in Ottawa. After all, Zetterlund recorded 80 points over the past two seasons on a bad Sharks team.
Bringing in Zetterlund and not keeping Ostapchuk worked out for the Senators immediately with results after the trade happened. Zetterlund has a chance to be an x-factor in Ottawa next season if he re-signs and playing a full year with the team.