When the Ottawa Senators were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, excitement and anticipation immediately began for the 2025-26 season.
In 2026, the Senators will be eager to show that 2025's playoff appearance wasn't a fluke. Yesterday, the Senators' 2025-26 regular season schedule was released. There are some big games on the schedule that will be circled.
It can be emotional for former players to return to play against their old team for the first time. The Senators lost players in 2025 that went to a new team. With the schedule released, it's time to see when thhose former Senators return to Ottawa at Canadian Tire Centre.
Which former Senators from 2025 roster are returning to Ottawa in 2025-26?
2025 saw these former players contribute to the team in some way to help the Senators make the playoffs, but they are now enemies.
Matthew Highmore- Oct. 18
On July 1, Highmore left the Senators to join the New York Islanders. Although Highmore could start the 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders like he did with the Belleville Senators last season, the date for when Highmore could return to Ottawa as an Islander was announced.
The Senators will host the Islanders on a Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 18. The hype around the Islanders will be around 2025's first overall draft pick Matthew Schaefer.
Dennis Gilbert- Oct. 23
Gilbert was acquired by the Senators in part of the Dylan Cozens trade with the Buffalo Sabres. Gilbert went on to only play four games for the Senators after bring traded.
On July 1, Gilbert didn't re-sign in Ottawa and opted to sign with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Senators host the Flyers on Oct. 23 on a Thursday night.
Anton Forsberg- Nov. 15
The Swedish goaltender spent five seasons as a Senator from 2020-2025. Forsberg signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1.
Although Forsberg will be Darcy Kuemper's backup in Los Angeles, his return to Ottawa is set for Nov. 15 on a Saturday night.
Josh Norris- Dec. 23
As much as Norris was a fan favorite in Ottawa, the Senators traded him to the Sabres in part of the Cozens trade. The Senators hosted the Sabres on April 1, 2025, but Norris was injured and didn't play in which could've been his first return to Ottawa.
Norris can return to Ottawa this time around when the Senators host the Sabres on Dec. 23 for the first time during the 2025-26 season.
Cole Reinhardt- Jan. 25
The former sixth-round draft pick from the 2020 NHL Draft only played in 18 NHL games with the Senators after being drafted. This Summer, Reinhardt decided to move on from the Senators and sign with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Although Reinhardt has spent majority of his hockey career in the AHL, Vegas travels to Ottawa on Jan. 25 if Reinhardt is called up to the NHL at that point in the season.
Adam Gaudette- March 15
The "Hockey Gaud" surprised the Senators with a 19-goal season as a fourth liner in the 2024-25 season. Gaudette was on the league minimal $775,000 contract with the Senators for one year.
With a surprising season, Gaudette was due for a raise, but the Senators didn't re-sign him. Gaudette signed with the San Jose Sharks on a two-year contract.
Gaudette returns to Ottawa as a Shark on a Saturday night on March 15.