Former Senators Find New Teams as Free Agency Kicks Off

The opening days of NHL free agency have served as a poignant reminder of the many players who have donned the Ottawa Senators jersey over the years. In just three days, a significant number of former Senators have secured contracts with new or existing clubs, ranging from full-time NHL roles on one-way deals to two-way contracts that will see others vying for a roster spot at training camp.

Nick Jensen’s time in Ottawa officially came to a close when he inked a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks, valued at $2.2 million per season. Jensen, who joined the Senators from the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2024 as part of the Jacob Chychrun trade, was initially brought in to help rebalance the blue line. He delivered solid play for much of his first season, but injuries ultimately hampered his contributions.

Mathieu Joseph has also found a new home, signing a one-year deal worth $1 million with the Edmonton Oilers. Joseph’s tenure in Ottawa spanned parts of three seasons, beginning with his arrival from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 trade that sent Nick Paul to Tampa. His best offensive year came in 2023-24, when he notched 35 points in 72 games. However, with the Senators looking to create flexibility, Joseph was traded to the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 2024, a move that required Ottawa to include a third-round pick to finalize the deal.

Lars Eller, after a single season with the Senators, has signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The veteran center made a strong impression early on, tallying six points in his first 12 games, but his production waned as the season progressed. With Stephen Halliday emerging as a contender for a full-time NHL position, Ottawa chose to shift towards a younger lineup.

Erik Gudbranson will continue his journey in Columbus, having signed a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. Gudbranson’s focus is on maintaining his health, as injuries have limited him to just 53 games over the past two seasons. The Ottawa native previously spent the 2020-21 season with the Senators before being traded to Nashville.

Ian Cole, whose brief stint with the Senators barely allowed him time to unpack, has signed a one-year contract worth $4 million. Acquired from Pittsburgh in the 2018 Derick Brassard trade, Cole was flipped to Columbus just three days later for a third-round draft pick. Now, eight years later, he finds himself with Chicago, marking his eighth team since that short-lived experience in Ottawa.

At 38 years old, Nick Foligno continues to defy age as he signs another one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild, valued at $900,000. Foligno, who joined Minnesota last season to play alongside his brother Marcus, is set for another campaign in the Twin Cities. His departure from Ottawa 14 years ago, in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot, remains a notable moment in franchise history.

Meanwhile, defenseman Dennis Gilbert has returned to Buffalo on a one-year, one-way NHL contract worth $850,000. Gilbert has had two stints with the Senators, first arriving in 2025 as part of the Josh Norris trade before leaving in free agency. After a brief return, he is now heading back to Buffalo, leaving fans to wonder if this is truly the end of his connection with Ottawa.

As free agency unfolds, these former Senators are finding new opportunities and fresh starts with different teams. Stay tuned for updates on former Senators who have signed two-way contracts with new organizations this week.

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