Assessing the Senators: Sabres’ Atlantic Division Rivals Face Challenges Ahead

The Buffalo Sabres made headlines last season by snapping their 15-year postseason drought, clinching the Atlantic Division title and advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, with significant offseason changes, including the departures of Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch, the Sabres face a tougher road in their quest to repeat as division champions or secure a top-three finish in the Atlantic.

This week, we turn our attention to the other seven teams in the Atlantic Division, starting with the Ottawa Senators, who have undergone their own transformations since the end of last season.

The Senators showcased resilience after the Olympic break, compiling a strong 16-5-4 record that earned them one of the two Eastern Conference wildcard spots, edging out teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals, and NY Islanders. Despite their spirited performance, Ottawa’s playoff run was short-lived as they were swept in four games by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, managing to score only five goals in the series.

In the aftermath of the season, whispers of discord between the organization and team captain Brady Tkachuk emerged. While there were no public indications of a rift, Tkachuk hinted at his intentions not to re-sign with the Senators after his contract expires in two years. This led to his trade to the Florida Panthers, where he will join his brother Matthew, marking a significant change for the Senators.

In terms of roster updates, Ottawa has made notable acquisitions, including William Eklund from San Jose for the ninth overall pick in the 2026 Draft, and Philip Tomasino, who signed a one-year deal worth $900,000. Additionally, they brought in goaltender Samuel Ersson from Toronto and forward Andre Burakovsky from Chicago. However, the loss of Tkachuk, who tallied 59 points in 60 games last season, is a major blow. His trade netted the Senators multiple draft picks, including a 2026 ninth overall pick and a conditional first-round pick in 2029.

Looking ahead, the Senators’ core, featuring Tim Stutzle, Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens, Eklund, and Jake Sanderson, is all 25 years or younger. Head coach Travis Green can rely on seasoned players like Drake Batherson, Artem Zub, Thomas Chabot, and Claude Giroux to guide the younger talent. Meanwhile, Ridly Greig adds grit, and Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence bolster defensive depth. Notably, Linus Ullmark has shown flashes of his Vezina-winning form.

When comparing the current rosters, Ottawa and Buffalo appear evenly matched in goal, with Ullmark and Ersson facing off against the Sabres’ goaltending trio. However, while Sanderson and Chabot are solid top-four defenders, they do not quite measure up to Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. The Sabres’ defensive depth has taken a hit with Byram’s departure, yet Ottawa’s second and third pairing blueliners keep the competition tight. Up front, the Sabres hold a significant advantage; the impact of Tkachuk’s exit is felt more deeply than Tuch’s departure.

Ultimately, the Senators seem to have taken a step back, positioning themselves as potential contenders to avoid the bottom of the Atlantic Division rather than vying for a wildcard spot next season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.