Oh hey Sen fans, the 2025 NHL Entry Draft wrapped up yesterday and NHL free agency is this Tuesday, Canada Day on the calendar, just two sleeps away. Today, we are going to provide a little summary of what the team is facing ahead of free agency. For now, we will focus specifically on Ottawa Senators free agents from the 2024-25 team. The team is in very strong shape overall. However, there is one major question mark possibly rearing its ugly head. Did the Ottawa Senators do enough to improve their team? Free agency isn’t even here yet, so there’s still time. But let’s review their options.
Chatter on Claude Giroux and the Top of Ottawa Senators Free Agents
Let’s start with the top among returning players. Claude Giroux seems like he will re-sign, as the two sides have talks ongoing daily. The biggest downside of him not being signed, is the unknown impact on the club’s salary cap. Moreover, there is some question on where he fits in the lines. In any case, as we mentioned, he should re-sign. Additionally, having him join the current crop of nine forwards signed to NHL contracts in 2025-26, makes the lineup improved.
A Couple Other Key Forwards from 2024-25
There are others, but another key holdout from 2024-25 is Nick Cousins. Signing him would provide great support to the lineup, say in a fourth-line position. In addition, his abilities allow him to move up-and-down the lineup, depending on the circumstances. However, there is a question mark with Cousins as well. Does he want to sign for the type of money a fourth-liner would sign for? He’s 31, and likely looking for a nice paid day to carry him through the next phase of his playing days. So, that is a decision that it makes sense that general manager Steve Staios has delayed.
Another interesting player to discuss on the possibility of re-signing, is Adam Gaudette. Gaudette has been playing very good hockey back to 2023-24, in particular. That year he led the AHL in goals (44 in just 67 games). Next, he was very successful for Ottawa last year, recording 19 goals. In contrast, for the good he did, when he was given more responsibility, despite maintaining strong play analytically, he wasn’t able to convert on those opportunities. So, there’s an element of uncertainty with his realistic expectations. His 2024-25 shooting percentage of 21.1 is an unsustainable mark. Also, he didn’t have a great 5v5 CF% Rel. at -6.8. That combined with searching for a pay raise makes it difficult for Ottawa justify bringing him back. He essentially played his way out of Ottawa, but not enough to play himself in.
Shifting to the Defensive Side of Ottawa Senators Free Agents
The big news from Day 2 of the draft, was the Sens acquisition of Jordan Spence. He boosts the right side of the defence. Furthermore, he adds to the likelihood the Ottawa Senators might not bring Hamonic back.
Travis Hamonic is another player without a contract for 2025-26. Furthermore, with the signings of Lassi Thomson, Tyler Kleven, and Nikolas Matinpalo already this offseason, there really doesn’t feel like there’s room, or necessity, for running it back with the veteran, Hamonic. Also, there’s Carter Yakemchuk who could be ready for the NHL soon. He is so young still, but if recall last year’s training camp, some thought he was nearly ready for the show then. Point is, he’s close, and further adds to not really needing Hamonic. Even if it is just a depth, veteran role, the Sens seems to have priorities elsewhere and already have solid depth on the backend.
One last potential returning Senator is backup goaltender Anton Forsberg. If you go with the fan base, and that’s besides his outstanding play, Leevi Merilainen is ready. He’s close, regardless, to being a full-time NHL backup. Besides the fact, Mads Sogaard is there as well, earning $775K, in a low-risk supporting role. We remember his upside, from years-past-gone-by, so he is player Sens management relies on in a third-stringer position.
Putting It All Together
Okay, how can sum all this information on Ottawa Senators free agents into a winning formula. Jordan Spence’s salary didn’t put a huge dent into the Sens plans. Moreover, he only makes $1.5M for this year, before becoming a restricted free agent. PuckPedia now mentions the Sens as needing probably two-or-three more roster spaces. They currently have 18 of 23 NHL contracts filled. Furthermore, they have $9.25M in available spending under the 2025-26 projected salary cap of $95.5 million.
Look for Merilainen to sign something like Kleven signed, so lock him in around $1.5 million per year. Furthermore, from the chatter, Giroux will land around $4M annual average value. So, the Senators will have about $4M left for one-to-three depth spots. Not really enough to make a substantial free agent splash. However, you must applaud Staios in his staunch discipline and responsible spending. The question would be, how can the Sens improve? A trade. Stay tuned for all the latest news and updates, but expect an analysis of just what we talking about.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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