While the Ottawa Senators made the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the same couldn't be said for their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. After making the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, Belleville missed out on the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Belleville had its late playoff push come right down to the wire in April, but missed out by two points to the Cleveland Monsters. The quest to return to the playoffs will have to wait another season.
While some prospects in Belleville had solid seasons like Stephen Halliday, Wyatt Bongiovanni, Cole Reinhardt, Garrett Pilon, Angus Crookshank and Jeremy Davies, two prospects will enter next season with needing to perform big more than ever.
Sogaard and Boucher need big season as contract year arrives for both of them
In the 2024-25 season, goaltender Mads Sogaard and forward Tyler Boucher both had struggles in Belleville. As the 2025-26 season is months away from starting, the two of them will need each need a big season as both will be restricted free agents after 2026.
Sogaard struggled with consistency in between the pipes all year in the NHL and AHL. In two NHL games in Ottawa in 2024-25, Sogaard recorded a 5.24 goals against average with an .800 save percentage.
The struggles continued in Belleville for Sogaard, who went 0-5-1 in eight games played with a .858 save percentage and 3.69 goals against average. On Jan. 10, Sogaard allowed in four goals on 12 shots on goal in just over 22 minutes. The disastrous start would be Sogaard's last start of the season as he dealt with injuries.
Just like Sogaard, Boucher will need a bounce back season. Boucher will need a bounce back season more than Sogaard due to Boucher not playing in an NHL game since being drafted 10th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. While others from the 2021 NHL Draft have been solid selections, Boucher has dissapointed big for the Senators and is turning into a major draft bust.
Boucher dealt with injuries in Belleville just like Sogaard. When the season concluded, Boucher recorded just 10 points in 47 games played. For a former 10th overall pick, improvement needs to happen immediately for Boucher or his tenure in Ottawa could be in jeopardy.
If Sogaard and Boucher underperform next season, Ottawa could try and trade one or both players, or Ottawa can have the idea to not sign one or both of them to a new contract when the 2025-26 season ends.
With injury concerns and struggling play, Ottawa might see enough from both Sogaard and Boucher. If Sogaard and Boucher both show major improvement, it could be enough for Ottawa to give them another each a new contract.
However, the time for waiting for both Sogaard and Boucher to grow is taking longer than expected. The 2025-26 season is going to be a pivotal one for Sogaard and Boucher.