Excitement is buzzing in Canada's capital with the Ottawa Senators making the playoffs for the first time in eight years. However, the Belleville Senators, Ottawa's AHL affiliate, missed out on the 2025 playoffs after making it in 2024.
Both Ottawa and Belleville have each seen changes to its roster this Summer. One major loss for Belleville was when Angus Crookshank signed with the New Jersey Devils.
Opening night in October for both Ottawa and Belleville have been circled. However, for Belleville first two games of the 2025-26 season, they will be personal for one new Senator and one old Senator from last season.
Games against Lehigh Valley and Bridgeport can become personal in October for two players
One former Senator from last season that did not return in July was Matthew Highmore when he signed with the New York Islanders. One player the Senators signed this Summer is former Philadelphia Flyers prospect Olle Lycksell.
Both Highmore and Lycksell could have the chance to show their former teams that they should've been re-signed in Belleville's first two games of the upcoming 2025-26 season if they both start in the AHL to begin the season.
On Oct. 11, Belleville opens up the season on the road at PPL Center against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. On Oct. 12, Belleville plays at Total Mortgage Arena against the Bridgeport Islanders.
Lycksell will be eager to show that the Flyers should've re-signed him this off-season, and the same can be said for Highmore against the Senators.
Over the past three seasons, Lycksell's game grew in Lehigh Valley, but he struggled to get NHL playing time in Philadelphia. Lycksell recorded 128 points in 134 games over the past three seasons combined in Lehigh Valley. Last season, Lycksell led Lehigh Valley with 44 points and 25 assists.
Now at 25 years old, Lycksell has a fresh start with the Senators organization. Belleville opening up against Lehigh Valley will have Lycksell eager to show how important he was to the team during his three seasons if he begins the season in the AHL in Belleville.
Highmore could have a chance to make New York's NHL roster to start the season depending on pre-season results and potential injuries, but it could be a challenge. Highmore opened up last season in the AHL in Belleville until Ottawa found itself hit by injuries. That's when Highmore was called up to the NHL in January.
If Highmore opens up in the AHL with Bridgeport to start the season, it can be personal for him to show the Senators why they should've re-signed him this off-season with Oct. 12's game. Highmore started his NHL season strong well when he scored the game-winning goal in his second game played against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 12.
However, the rest of the NHL season was a struggle for Highmore with finishing with six points in 41 games played. Highmore played in Game 1 of the Senators' first round series against the Maple Leafs, but was scratched for Nick Cousins for the rest of the series. Now at 29 years old, Highmore has a fresh start with the Islanders.
Belleville will be eager to return to the playoffs in 2026, but the road back to the playoffs begins with the first two games of the season that can become personal for both Lycksell and Highmore.