If the Ottawa Senators want to be considered a true contender for the Stanley Cup in 2026-27, the work must start this summer in the gym and at the practice facility. General manager Steve Staios can only do so much; the players must hold themselves accountable.
Even if Ottawa pulls off a blockbuster trade to acquire a top-six winger, signs significant depth in free agency, and finds a new backup goaltender, the vast majority of the 2026-27 roster will consist of returning players. Likely moving on from some aging veterans and graduating a couple of prospects from the minors, the team will almost certainly be younger by October. For the Senators to reach contender status, core players need to elevate their game, depth players must find ways to contribute more, and the young guns must grow up fast.
Carter Yakemchuk
Yakemchuk is expected to make the Senators out of training camp; it is just a question of how long he will stay with the big club. The 20-year-old defenseman's confidence and creativity with the puck made him a true factor in his first Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance in Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes, assisting on both goals in Ottawa's last gasp. With Jake Sanderson out and other blue-liners struggling to get pucks through traffic and sustain offensive zone pressure, Yakemchuk was deliberate with his puck touches and never hesitated to take the ice he was given.
In the most pressure-filled environment of his career, and the most chaotic game of the series, he was unflappable. He looked like he belonged. That performance was reminiscent of his first NHL game a month prior. With Sanderson and Thomas Chabot out for a must-win game against the Detroit Red Wings, Yakemchuk was inserted into the lineup for some offense and delivered, registering his first career point with a no-look, between-the-legs pass ahead of the 1-0 goal, and later wiring a wrist shot from the top of the right slot to make it 2-0.
Yakemchuk has proven, in a small sample size, that he can rise to the occasion at the highest level. However, the everyday grind of a full NHL season poses an entirely different test, one that only the defensively competent can pass. Coach Travis Green will not want to shelter Yakemchuk for very long. If the Senators' top prospect is to become a full-time NHLer by the fall, there must be more of an edge to his play without the puck.
Yakemchuk was known for throwing the odd crunchy hit in junior, and he already reads the play exceptionally well, intercepting cross-ice feeds and turning up ice in a flash. But so much of defending at the NHL level is boxing out in front and winning puck battles along the walls. He must add some urgency and tenacity to his defending and shake off that minus-31 from his first pro season with Belleville (second-worst rating in the American Hockey League). If he can round out his two-way game, the Senators' blue line would be truly elite.
Fabian Zetterlund
The Senators have never really known the old Fabian Zetterlund, the one the San Jose Sharks saw turn into a sneaky-good goal scorer. Since arriving in Ottawa, Zetterlund has shown flashes but has not consistently produced at the level expected. This summer, he must focus on regaining that scoring touch and becoming a reliable offensive contributor. With a full training camp and a clear role, Zetterlund has the potential to be a key piece in the Senators' top six. His work ethic and two-way play are solid, but he needs to find the back of the net more frequently to help the team take the next step.
Other players on the roster also face critical off-seasons. The Senators' success hinges on individual improvements across the board. From young prospects to established veterans, every player must come back stronger, faster, and more determined. The summer months are not just for rest; they are for transformation. If these five players—and the rest of the team—commit to enormous off-seasons, the Senators could truly become a force in the Eastern Conference.
