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The Ottawa Senators (44-27-11) snuck into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a wild card for the second consecutive season. Early on, they looked dead in the water, with an 18-15-5 record before the start of 2026.
The Senators hit their stride by the end of the season, with an 18-6-4 record through the final three months of the season (Feb.-Apr. 2026). The expectation was for them to bring that momentum into the playoffs, but instead, they were swept to the Carolina Hurricanes, who are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
More: Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj under fire after ‘heavy’ hit on Sabres’ Sam Carrick
They seem to be in an elevated no-mans land right now; good enough to make the dance, but not good enough to compete for a Stanley Cup. A rough goaltending duo held them back from being better this past season, but management will have to find a way to break out of this funk in the 2026 offseason.
Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of trade discourse surrounding the Senators’ captain, Brady Tkachuk. He’s a very talented winger who plays with a good blend of physicality and offensive creativity. However, his numbers have been down the past two seasons.
After averaging over 30 goals per season between the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, he hasn’t reached that mark since. In the 2024-25 season, he had just 29 goals in 72 games, but his goal-scoring presence came back in the playoffs, with four goals in six games.
More: Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes gets honest after big Game 3 win
2025-26 was a battered season for him. Long-term injuries kept him out for 22 games, and he had 22 goals and 59 points in 60 games. In the playoffs, he put up a dud, with no goals or points in four games.
Unfortunately, Tkachuk is just one year away from being eligible for an extension. It would be a shocking loss for Senators fans if they were to trade him, but if the Senators believe they’ve hit their ceiling with this core, they could trade Tkachuk this offseason.
More: Top 10 NHL franchises with the most Stanley Cup wins
He’d probably welcome a return to the U.S., just like his brother Matthew Tkachuk earned when he was traded to the Florida Panthers. It’s not something the Senators have to decide on now, especially with the no-movement clause in his contract. However, it will be something to monitor.
Apr 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) and Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) battle in the first overtime period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Winger Drake Batherson, meanwhile, is a decision the Senators need to deal with sooner. He has just one season left on his six-year, $29.85 million contract, and it has no trade protection.
Batherson had a career season in 2025-26, with 33 goals and 38 assists through 79 games. He was also one of the only forwards to contribute offensively in the playoffs, with three goals and an assist in four games. He’s almost certain to earn a healthy pay raise with those numbers.
More: Stanley Cup power rankings for remaining NHL playoff teams
However, Batheson is 28, and he’ll be entering his 30s when his deal ends. Do the Senators want to sign a soon-to-be 30-year-old to a potential six- or seven-year deal worth north of $9 million a year?
If the Senators wanted to trade him instead, his stock is unlikely to be any higher than this. Similar to the quandary with Brady Tkachuk, if the Senators feel like they’ve reached their ceiling with this team, they’d be able to net a very good return for Batherson.
More: How to live stream Golden Knights vs Ducks: NHL Playoffs, TV channel
Plenty of teams are looking for a top-six winger as good as Batherson, and with the lack of options on the free agency market, he’d be the top option. Any team would need an extension for Batherson in mind, but if the Senators are changing their vision, a Batherson trade will be the first indication.
Apr 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens (24) is congratulated by left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) after his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
It would be a shame if Tkachuk or Batherson are traded, because this team isn’t that far from legitimate Stanley Cup contention. They have an elite defensive core and a forward core with some talented scorers (Tim Stutzle, Tkachuk, Batherson). Goaltender Linus Ullmark had a rough 2025-26 regular season, but he returned to form in the playoffs, with a .932 save percentage.
More: How to live stream Sabres vs Canadiens: NHL Playoffs, TV channel
Still, they need a few more pieces. Mainly, they need a good right-shot defenseman to pair with Thomas Chabot. Tony DeAngelo would be a sneaky pickup, as he had 35 points in 76 games last season and shouldn’t cost that much. Maybe, they just rely on Jordan Spence growing into that role, but they need at least one more right-shot defenseman that works well with Chabot.
They could also use a little more scoring touch on the bottom six. A guy like Viktor Arvidsson on the Boston Bruins would work for sure. Regardless, the Senators will need their key players to grow and mature to take the next step.
More: How to live stream Avalanche vs Wild: NHL Playoffs, TV channel
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The Senators hit their stride by the end of the season, with an 18-6-4 record through the final three months of the season (Feb.-Apr. 2026). The expectation was for them to bring that momentum into the playoffs, but instead, they were swept to the Carolina Hurricanes, who are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
More: Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj under fire after ‘heavy’ hit on Sabres’ Sam Carrick
They seem to be in an elevated no-mans land right now; good enough to make the dance, but not good enough to compete for a Stanley Cup. A rough goaltending duo held them back from being better this past season, but management will have to find a way to break out of this funk in the 2026 offseason.
What’s the status with Brady Tkachuk?
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Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of trade discourse surrounding the Senators’ captain, Brady Tkachuk. He’s a very talented winger who plays with a good blend of physicality and offensive creativity. However, his numbers have been down the past two seasons.
After averaging over 30 goals per season between the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, he hasn’t reached that mark since. In the 2024-25 season, he had just 29 goals in 72 games, but his goal-scoring presence came back in the playoffs, with four goals in six games.
More: Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes gets honest after big Game 3 win
2025-26 was a battered season for him. Long-term injuries kept him out for 22 games, and he had 22 goals and 59 points in 60 games. In the playoffs, he put up a dud, with no goals or points in four games.
Unfortunately, Tkachuk is just one year away from being eligible for an extension. It would be a shocking loss for Senators fans if they were to trade him, but if the Senators believe they’ve hit their ceiling with this core, they could trade Tkachuk this offseason.
More: Top 10 NHL franchises with the most Stanley Cup wins
He’d probably welcome a return to the U.S., just like his brother Matthew Tkachuk earned when he was traded to the Florida Panthers. It’s not something the Senators have to decide on now, especially with the no-movement clause in his contract. However, it will be something to monitor.
What do the Senators do with Drake Batherson?
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Apr 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) and Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) battle in the first overtime period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Winger Drake Batherson, meanwhile, is a decision the Senators need to deal with sooner. He has just one season left on his six-year, $29.85 million contract, and it has no trade protection.
Batherson had a career season in 2025-26, with 33 goals and 38 assists through 79 games. He was also one of the only forwards to contribute offensively in the playoffs, with three goals and an assist in four games. He’s almost certain to earn a healthy pay raise with those numbers.
More: Stanley Cup power rankings for remaining NHL playoff teams
However, Batheson is 28, and he’ll be entering his 30s when his deal ends. Do the Senators want to sign a soon-to-be 30-year-old to a potential six- or seven-year deal worth north of $9 million a year?
If the Senators wanted to trade him instead, his stock is unlikely to be any higher than this. Similar to the quandary with Brady Tkachuk, if the Senators feel like they’ve reached their ceiling with this team, they’d be able to net a very good return for Batherson.
More: How to live stream Golden Knights vs Ducks: NHL Playoffs, TV channel
Plenty of teams are looking for a top-six winger as good as Batherson, and with the lack of options on the free agency market, he’d be the top option. Any team would need an extension for Batherson in mind, but if the Senators are changing their vision, a Batherson trade will be the first indication.
What’s the piece to complete the puzzle?
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Apr 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens (24) is congratulated by left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) after his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
It would be a shame if Tkachuk or Batherson are traded, because this team isn’t that far from legitimate Stanley Cup contention. They have an elite defensive core and a forward core with some talented scorers (Tim Stutzle, Tkachuk, Batherson). Goaltender Linus Ullmark had a rough 2025-26 regular season, but he returned to form in the playoffs, with a .932 save percentage.
More: How to live stream Sabres vs Canadiens: NHL Playoffs, TV channel
Still, they need a few more pieces. Mainly, they need a good right-shot defenseman to pair with Thomas Chabot. Tony DeAngelo would be a sneaky pickup, as he had 35 points in 76 games last season and shouldn’t cost that much. Maybe, they just rely on Jordan Spence growing into that role, but they need at least one more right-shot defenseman that works well with Chabot.
They could also use a little more scoring touch on the bottom six. A guy like Viktor Arvidsson on the Boston Bruins would work for sure. Regardless, the Senators will need their key players to grow and mature to take the next step.
More: How to live stream Avalanche vs Wild: NHL Playoffs, TV channel
Continue reading...
