When the Ottawa Senators completed a two-goal comeback win in overtime this past Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, it showed the courage and heart the team has ahead of the 2025-26 regular season.
Four preseason games remain in 2025 for the Senators. As the season opener on Oct. 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning gets closer for the Senators, more excitement and anticipation builds for the new season.
While the Senators made the 2025 playoffs, there will be higher expectations for 2026. However, a worst-case scenario will always be there for a new season. Recently, a new one was made for the Senators this season, and it could be something to watch for when the season starts.
Secondary support will be needed
Yesterday, Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report wrote an article titled "Every NHL Team's Worst-Case Scenario for 2025-26 Season." For the Senators, Gretz named their worst-case scenario as "not enough secondary support."
Most of the focus on the Senators' offense will be surrounded on captain Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle as Gretz mentioned in his article. However, Gretz didn't compare Tkachuk and Stutzle to superstar players in the names of Connor McDavid, Matthew Tkachuk, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov.
"It is even more important for B-level players to have a good supporting cast around them, and there should be some question as to whether the Senators have that," Gretz said.
Outside of Tkachuk and Stutzle, Drake Batherson has turned into one of the most underrated players in the NHL for secondary support. For the past three seasons in Ottawa, Batherson has recorded a 60-point season. Last season, Batherson recorded career highs with 42 assists and 68 points.
However, Batherson can't be the only one outside of Tkachuk and Stutzle for secondary support. The Senators do have quality players on the roster who will have higher expectations in 2025-26.
Claude Giroux is back in Ottawa after signing a one-year contract this off-season. However, Giroux's point production in Ottawa dropped over the past three seasons he was in Ottawa. Last season, Giroux's 50 points was the fifth most on the Senators roster, but it was his lowest in a season as a Senator. Giroux's new contract will have incentives in it, so motivation can be there for Giroux to deliver big.
Shane Pinto is due for a new big contract and season. Pinto delivered with a 21 goals and 37 points last season to set two new career highs. Ridly Greig's point total has increased each season he's played in Ottawa. Last season, Greig delivered with a 34-point season, and has become a solid Senators core piece for years down the road.
This season, the Senators will get a full season of Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund. Both Cozens and Zetterlund were acquired by the Senators at the trade deadline this past March.
Cozens showed promise with recording 16 points in 21 games played. Cozens has shown potential before with a 68-point season in 2022-23 with the Buffalo Sabres.
Zetterlund did have struggles after being acquired with recording just five points in 20 games played. However, Zetterlund has shown he can score goals with having a career-high 24-goal season with the San Jose Sharks in 2023-24.
The Senators have other solid depth on the roster with the players of David Perron, Michael Amadio and newly acquired Lars Eller. However, the pressure to have secondary scoring will be critical to have an all-around team to compete each and every game in 2025-26 for the Senators.