2025's six-game series loss in the first round of the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs will have huge motivation for the 2025-26 Ottawa Senators.
The Senators are a team that is eager to be a consistent playoff team. With the roster and core put together by general manager Steve Staios, bigger things could be in the works down the road in Ottawa.
In two days, the Senators begin the preseason against the Maple Leafs. Every team's goal by the end of the season is to win the Stanley Cup. For the Senators, there chances of winning it were revealed by a letter grade, and some could find it as disrespect.
Senators in the middle to win Stanley Cup in 2026
Two days ago, Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report wrote an article titled "Grading Every NHL Team's Stanley Cup Chances After 2025 Offseason." Five grades were named by Gretz in the article.
For the Senators, Gretz gave the team a "C" grade, but defined it. Gretz defined a C grade as "these are the fringe playoff teams that are somewhere on the bubble and might need another move to get a spot."
"But for all the positives, there are still some depth questions, and the Eastern Conference has enough bubble playoff teams that just automatically expecting the Senators to be back in is a tough proposition," Gretz said about the Senators.
Some might have questions on depth on defense for the Senators. With Nick Jensen having hip surgery in May, it could put concern on defense. However, the Senators trading for Jordan Spence, who had a career year last season, can be a solid addition. Along with Spence, Nikolas Matinpalo got more NHL experience after playing in four career NHL games before last season.
Even with concern around the defense, the core of Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, Artem Zub and Tyler Kleven is a strong one that is destined to be better.
Up front, the Senators' depth with their roster is a solid one. Captain Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens, Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto and Claude Giroux offer as a solid presence. The Senators can also be in for a breakout year from Fabian Zetterlund, who will be eager to bounce back after recording five points in 20 games after being traded over this past March.
Goaltenders Linus Ullmark and Leevi Merilainen will give the Senators a chance to win game in between the pipes with the two of them being one of the best duos in the NHL.
The Eastern Conference is tight for sure, and the Senators' division is tough. Five teams from the Atlantic Division made the 2025 playoffs. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs could have a little drop off after Mitch Marner left this off-season, and the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers will be without Matthew Tkachuk to start the season. That is where the Senators can take advantage of getting off to a good start into the season.
The Senators finished fourth in the Atlantic Division last season with 97 points. Some might not know that the Senators finished one point behind the Panthers last season.
With a new season upon, the Senators have a solid roster put together that will be destined for a bounce back season under head coach Travis Green. In his first season in Ottawa, Green showed promise with finishing sixth in 2025 Jack Adams voting. Now, Green will be eager to lead the Senators to be a consistent playoff team year round.