In 2025, success was made by the Ottawa Senators by making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. However, the same couldn't be said for Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
Belleville missed out on making the 2025 playoffs after making it in 2024. Over the Summer, the Senators re-signed players that will have a chance to raise their game in Belleville.
During the 2024-25 season, Belleville saw a rise from some of its players. From Leevi Merilainen, to Stephen Halliday, to Wyatt Bongiovanni and more. However, there's one prospect that will need to raise his game higher after a new contract signed.
Bourgault needs big season in 2025-26
Senators prospect Xavier Bourgault re-signed with the Senators on a one-year, two-way contract this past weekend. However, Bourgault is going to need to raise his game desperately during the 2025-26 season.
At 22 years old, Bourgault has not played an NHL game yet. Bourgault was the former 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Bourgault spent from 2022-2024 with the Oilers AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. In those two seasons combined, Bourgault recorded 54 points.
What made the Oilers selecting Bourgault looked worse is Dallas Stars superstar forward Wyatt Johnston was taken with the very next selection. During the 2024-25 season is when selecting Bourgault over Johnston look worse.
Bourgault recorded 26 points in his first season in Belleville in 2024-25, while Johnston recorded a career-high 71 points. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky praised Johnston incredibly during the 2025 playoffs by telling him that he gives his brother Keith a headache by telling him he took Bourgault over Johnston in 2021.
From 2022-2025, Bourgault had a cap hit of $925,000 per year for three seasons. For a prospect that didn't play in an NHL game, that is a pricey salary per year. Bourgault's new contract for the 2025-26 season will be $775,000.
With a lower cap hit in 2025-26, Bourgault will need to prove himself even more. Bourgault still has potential with his age, and will be looking to improve in year two with the Senators organization.
In Belleville's final nine games of 2024-25, Bourgault recorded seven points to help contribute to Belleville's playoff push that came up short. During that nine-game stretch, Bourgault recorded two three-game point streaks.
The Senators still believe in Bourgault with signing him to a new contract, but he will need to show major improvement in 2025-26, or his time with the team could be up in the air.