Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo started his NHL career by going undrafted. It wouldn't be until the 2023-24 season in which Matinpalo would make his NHL debut.
During the 2023-24 season, Matinpalo played in just four games for the Senators. Heading into the 2024-25 season, it was unsure how many NHL games Matinpalo would get called up for with his little NHL experience.
With the Senators defense hit by injuries, it allowed Matinpalo to get called up and get more NHL playing time. Along with that, 2025 saw Matinpalo get more experience outside of playing just for the Senators. Now, Matinpalo has his sights set for the 2025-26 season.
Matinpalo eager for 2025-26 season in Ottawa to do whatever it takes
Matinpalo recently made a guest appearance on the Coming In Hot Senators Podcast. On the podcast, Matinpalo talked about getting good NHL experience in the 2024-25 season for the Senators.
"Just gonna trust my game and do whatever it takes," Matinpalo said.
Matinpalo's 2024-25 season was a big step in the right direction for the 26-year-old defenseman. Matinpalo played in 41 games and recorded four points. Matinpalo grew more into a defensive defenseman with finishing with 29 blocked shots and 25 hits. The biggest moment of the season from Matinpalo came when he scored his first NHL goal on April 6, 2025.
2025 saw Matinpalo get experience on three big stages outside of the regular season. The first came in February. With battling injuries on defense prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off, Team Finland needed defense help. Even with little NHL experience at the time, Matinpalo would be added to Finland's roster to play with and against the best from each country in the tournament.
Matinpalo would then get more needed experience after the regular season concluded by playing in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Matinpalo would play in all six of the Senators' playoff games in their first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After the Senators were eliminated by the Maple Leafs in the 2025 playoffs, Matinpalo would then play again for Team Finland in the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Matinpalo got another chance to play and compete against the best from each country in the championship.
Matinpalo described his season with playing for the Senators and Team Finland as "interesting," but also "fun." Matinpalo didn't expect to be a consistent defenseman in the Senators lineup or play for Finland, but was happy that he did.
After the season, the Senators re-signed Matinpalo to a two-year contract. With showing progress, potential is there for Matinpalo to grow more after much needed NHL experience particularly throughout 2025.
However, there will be some pressure on Matinpalo for the upcoming 2025-26 season. With the Senators trading for Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence this off-season, it puts Matinpalo as the seventh defenseman in the Senators lineup.
With being the seventh defenseman, the Senators might not need Matinpalo in the lineup immediately. However, Matinpalo will trust his game and do whatever it takes for the Senators to win games.