Senators Bet on Youth After Trading Tkachuk for Draft Capital

Ottawa finished 2025-26 with 99 points and missed the playoffs by a narrow margin in a crowded Atlantic Division. The off-season brought a seismic shift: the Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida for three first-round picks and a second-rounder, then flipped one of those firsts to San Jose for William Eklund and two prospects. They added goaltender Samuel Ersson and brought back Claude Giroux on a one-year deal. The moves signal a pivot toward youth and draft capital, but the loss of Tkachuk leaves a leadership void and raises questions about the timeline.

Last season in review

The Senators posted a 44-27-11 record and scored 278 goals, fifth in the Atlantic Division. Tim Stützle led the way with 34 goals and 83 points, while Drake Batherson chipped in 33 goals and 71 points. Dylan Cozens, acquired earlier, contributed 28 goals and 59 points. The offense was productive, but goaltending was a weakness. Linus Ullmark posted a .891 save percentage across 48 games, well below league average. Ottawa allowed 246 goals, a respectable total that masked inconsistent netminding. The team was good enough to compete but lacked the goaltending and depth to break through in a tough division.

Ins and outs

• Out: Brady Tkachuk (traded to Florida for three first-round picks and a second-round pick, per nhl.com)
• In: William Eklund and two prospects (acquired from San Jose for a first-round pick, per nhl.com)
• In: Samuel Ersson (acquired from Toronto for a fifth-round pick, then signed to a two-year contract, per nhl.com)
• In: Andre Burakovsky (acquired from Chicago for a sixth-round pick, per nhl.com)
• In: Claude Giroux (re-signed to a one-year, $2 million contract, per nhl.com)
• In: Leevi Meriläinen (signed to a contract extension, per nhl.com)
• In: Xavier Bourgault (signed to a one-year, two-way contract, per nhl.com)

The big question

Can the Senators replace Brady Tkachuk's production and leadership? Tkachuk was the face of the franchise and a physical, two-way presence. Stützle and Batherson will need to carry more of the load, and William Eklund, 24, must prove he can be a top-six contributor in a larger role. The answer will determine whether Ottawa stays competitive or slides into a deeper rebuild.

X-factor

William Eklund. The former seventh overall pick has shown flashes in San Jose but never topped 40 points in a season. Ottawa is betting he can take a step forward in a better situation alongside Stützle and Batherson. If Eklund clicks and becomes a consistent scoring threat, the Senators can offset some of what they lost in Tkachuk. If he stalls, the trade looks like a gamble that didn't pay off.

Bold prediction

Ottawa finishes outside the playoffs again, but Eklund posts a career-high 55 points and the Senators use their draft capital to land a star at the 2027 trade deadline.

The outlook

The Senators are in transition. They added youth and flexibility but lost their captain and best power forward. Goaltending remains a question mark, even with Ersson in the mix. Giroux's return provides veteran stability, but this roster looks like a fringe playoff team at best. The real payoff may come down the line if the draft picks turn into impact players. For now, Ottawa is asking fans to trust the process.