The Ottawa Senators had their 2025-26 regular season scheduled get released. In 2026, the Senators will be eager to return to the playoffs.
During the 2025 off-season, the Senators were busy with free agency and the draft. Now, the focus shifts to the new season on the horizon that starts against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. ET.
There are players on the Senators roster that will make a homecoming return to play against their old team in a city they once called home. As of now, four players on the Senators roster will have a date circled for their return to face their old team for the first time on the road as a Senator in the 2025-26 season.
Which four players are returning to play their old team in 2025-26?
In the 2025 off-season, the Senators traded for Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings, and signed Lars Eller and Arthur Kaliyev each to a one-year contract. Those three players along with Fabian Zetterlund will have dates circled to play their former teams in the 2025-26 season on the road for the first time as a Senator.
Eller- Oct. 25 & Feb. 2
In the 2024-25 season, Eller was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded to the Washington Capitals. Eller will return to two cities for the first time as a Senator in the 2025-26 season.
The first date is when Eller returns to Washington D.C. on Oct. 25 to play the Capitals. Then on Feb. 2, Eller will return to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins.
Zetterlund- Nov. 22
The Senators and Sharks completed their two meetings against each other during the 2024-25 season before the Zetterlund trade happened happened on March 7. Now, Zetterlund has his date in which he returns to San Jose.
The Senators will be in San Jose on Nov. 22 for Zetterlund's homecoming. Zetterlund signed a three-year contract extension this Summer to remain a Senator. Zetterlund was one of the few bright spots on the Sharks roster who were in the bottom of the NHL during his tenure.
Spence- Nov. 24
Zetterlund will have his homecoming date to San Jose, then the very next game, it will be Spence's turn to have his homecoming to Los Angeles. Both games will happen during the Senators' seven-game road trip.
The Senators will be in Los Angeles on Nov. 24 for Spence's homecoming to Los Angeles. Despite a career year with 28 points and a +23 rating in the 2024-25 season, the Kings traded Spence to Ottawa.
Kaliyev- Jan. 14
During the 2024-25 season, Kaliyev only played in 14 games for the New York Rangers. Now, Kaliyev has a fresh start with the Senators.
Although it's no guarantee Kaliyev will be playing in the NHL often in Ottawa due to Nick Cousins, Michael Amadio and Eller potentially being on the fourth line to begin the season, Kaliyev's first game back in New York is set for Jan. 14 at Madison Square Garden.