In 2025, the Ottawa Senators clinched a playoff spot. The same couldn't be said for Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. After making the 2024 playoffs, Belleville missed out in 2025.
During 2025's free agency, the Senators saw two of their top prospects leave the organization. Angus Crookshank left to sign with the New Jersey Devils, and Cole Reinhardt left and is now a member of the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Senators signed former Philadelphia Flyers prospect Olle Lycksell to a one-year, two-way contract this Summer. Entering next season, Stephen Halliday will be relied upon more, and now Belleville could have a dynamic duo on their hands in 2025-26.
Lycksell and Halliday can create dynamic duo in Belleville
Halliday is one of the top prospects in the Senators organization after leading Belleville in points and assists last season. Lycksell showed progress in the AHL with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Now, the two can be the dynamic duo for Belleville.
Halliday recorded 51 points last season for Belleville. Halliday made a huge jump in just one season by recording 46 more points. At 23 years old entering next season, higher expectations will be there for Halliday.
For Lycksell, he has more NHL experience than Halliday. Lycksell has played in 45 NHL games, while Halliday has yet to play an NHL game. While Lycksell recorded just five assists in 19 NHL games with the Flyers last season, he was solid with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Last season in Lehigh Valley, Lycksell was very similar to Halliday: Lycksell led his team in points and assists. Lycksell recorded 44 points and 25 assists.
Lycksell has seen solid AHL success throughout his career by recording 128 points in 134 games at 25 years old. Along with being a solid AHL player, Lycksell has played in the Calder Cup Playoffs over the past three years.
With how both Halliday and Lycksell leading their respective teams in points and assists last season, both of them are eager to grow more. With their talent and skills offensively, both Halliday and Lycksell can help create a dynamic duo in Belleville next season.