Travis Green has been an invaluable influence on the Ottawa Senators. In his two seasons behind the bench, the former NHLer has helped the club get back into the playoff picture.
And it seems that the back-to-back postseason appearances are just the beginning.
As Green made it clear in his pre-camp presser on Wednesday, the club is looking to build on its success this season. The goal isn’t just to be good. The goal is to take that proverbial next step that can lead to a longer playoff run.
"We were definitely a better team last year than we were the year before. And you know, we want to be better again this year."
Better could mean hitting the century mark in points. It also means going back to the postseason. But beyond those collective accomplishments, the goal here will be to grow as a group. After all, the Senators are still a very young team with lots of room to grow.
"We've still got a relatively young group. I looked at our board the other day with the age of our players. I think they've all become better hockey players and quite honestly, I expect them to be better again."
Given the sort of talent on the roster, it’s hard not to see the Senators improving to a level where they could become one of the Eastern Conference’s toughest teams.
Prospects creating competition for spots in Senators lineup
One of the good things about having a young, talented core is that prospects consistently push for playing time. That situation creates internal competition that players can thrive on.
And that’s something that Green is banking on becoming a factor in boosting the club’s overall competitive level.
"Teams progress and teams improve are young guys pushing to take, you know, take a spot on the team. And uh I think we have that more this year than we have had in the past."
As younger players elbow their way into the NHL lineup, the entire team’s overall talent ceiling rises. If anything, skilled prospects raise the team’s floor.
And that’s precisely what the Senators will want to see happen this season. Otherwise, the risk of regression could be too much to overlook.
Still, there is so much to be bullish about in Ottawa. Brady Tkachuk’s departure hardly seems like an obstacle for the team. In fact, it might seem like a liberation for the squad. Tkachuk’s influence brought some negative light to the team, not because Tkachuk was necessarily a bad influence, but because the overall ambiance seems lighter after he moved on.
The future is indeed bright in Ottawa. The Senators are in good hands with Green at the helm. So, it will be a matter of seeing how last season’s success, disappointing end notwithstanding, can translate into an even better season in 2026-27.
The ceiling is much higher. And with a little luck, the hard work the club has been putting in could pay off in droves. There’s no telling how far the Sens could go this season.
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