Tag: Ottawa Senators

Larkin a game-time call for Senators matchup

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Dylan Larkin is a game-time decision for the Detroit Red Wings‘ home game against the Ottawa Senators after an upper-body injury sustained during off-season training delayed his start to the season.

Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said Larkin must be cleared by a doctor before he can play. The 30-year-old centre skated between Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson at the morning skate and also worked on the power play.

Larkin reported to training camp but was initially unable to participate because of the injury. He later returned to practice, though he did not appear in the pre-season or Detroit’s first two regular-season games.

Key Facts

  • Todd McLellan said Dylan Larkin will play against Ottawa if he is medically cleared.
  • Larkin skated at centre between Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson during the morning skate and was used on the power play.
  • The upper-body injury was sustained in off-season training and initially prevented Larkin from participating at training camp.
  • Larkin requested a trade after last season and lost the Red Wings captaincy entering this season.
  • Detroit have scored two goals across their first two games: a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers and a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
  • Larkin recorded an NHL career-high 34 goals last season and finished with 67 points, comprising 34 goals and 33 assists, in 74 games.
  • From 2021-26, Larkin scored 160 goals, 37 more than any other Detroit player in that span.
  • Larkin ranks 10th in Red Wings history with 643 points, including 276 goals and 367 assists, in 808 games.
  • He signed an eight-year, $69.6 million contract with an $8.7 million annual average value on March 1, 2023.
  • Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton are week to week, while J.T. Compher is day to day; all three forwards are out against Ottawa.

IHM Discussion

Detroit have kept Larkin involved in the club’s preparations despite his absence from the opening two games. His place between Raymond and Arvidsson at morning skate, plus his power-play work, gives a clear indication of the role available should the required medical clearance arrive.

That potential return comes while the Red Wings are short of forwards. Kasper, Appleton and Compher are all unavailable against Ottawa, and Detroit’s opening two games have produced only two goals. Larkin’s scoring record makes his status especially significant: he has reached 30 goals in each of the past five seasons and six times overall.

There is also a notable backdrop to the decision. Larkin requested a trade after last season and entered this campaign without the captaincy, while fans booed him during introductions before the home opener. None of that changes the immediate medical threshold set by McLellan: Larkin’s availability depends on clearance.

Why It Matters

Larkin remains Detroit’s No. 1 centre and one of its most proven finishers. His 34 goals last season were a career high, and his 160 goals from 2021-26 underline the volume of production the Red Wings have been without at the start of the campaign.

With three other forwards ruled out against Ottawa, a cleared Larkin would give Detroit an experienced centre option and a player already placed in a scoring-line and power-play setting at morning skate. Until clearance is confirmed, however, his status remains a game-time decision.

Mini Q&A

Why has Dylan Larkin not played for Detroit this season?

Larkin sustained an upper-body injury during off-season training. He reported to training camp but could not initially participate, and although he returned to practice, he missed the pre-season and Detroit’s first two regular-season games.

What must happen for Larkin to play against Ottawa?

He must be cleared by a doctor. Todd McLellan said Larkin will play if that clearance is granted.

Where was Larkin used at morning skate?

He skated at centre between Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson and worked on the power play.

Coach Mark Comment

The morning-skate deployment is appropriately direct: if Larkin is cleared, Detroit have a familiar offensive structure ready rather than needing to improvise one late. The important coaching discipline is to let the medical decision set the pace. A player returning from an upper-body issue should not be judged by the need for offence alone, particularly with the club already managing several forward absences.

What Comes Next

The next checkpoint is the medical clearance decision before Detroit face Ottawa. McLellan’s position is straightforward: if Larkin is cleared, he will play.

IHM Final View

Larkin’s status is the central decision for Detroit against Ottawa. The Red Wings have prepared him for a prominent role, but his first appearance of the season still rests on medical clearance after an injury-disrupted training camp and missed pre-season.

IHM NHL News: Senators Make a 2-0 Start Without Brady Tkachuk

Senators Make a 2-0 Start Without Brady Tkachuk

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The Ottawa Senators have made a sharp start to life without former captain Brady Tkachuk, opening the 2026-27 season 2-0-0 after victories over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.

Ottawa followed their opening win against Toronto with a 4-1 result at TD Garden, where Tim Stützle scored twice in 1:43 during the first period and added an assist on Drake Batherson’s second-period goal. The Senators have scored seven goals and conceded three across their first two games.

The early record is particularly notable after an off-season departure that ended Tkachuk’s eight-season Ottawa tenure. He finished his Senators career with 463 points, comprising 213 goals and 250 assists, in 572 games. Ottawa’s players, however, have stressed the collective belief within the group rather than framing their start around the former captain’s exit.

There is also an immediate note of caution. Goaltender Linus Ullmark left after the second period against Boston following a collision with JJ Peterka in the crease. Coach Travis Green described the move as precautionary.

Key Facts

  • Ottawa are 2-0-0 after beating Toronto and defeating Boston 4-1 at TD Garden.
  • The Senators have scored seven goals and allowed three through two games.
  • Tim Stützle scored two first-period goals against Boston in 1:43, including a short-handed goal at 7:39.
  • Stützle added an assist on Drake Batherson’s goal at 1:06 of the second period for his 33rd career three-point game.
  • Stützle’s 33 career three-point games tie Brady Tkachuk for fourth most in Senators history and moved him past Erik Karlsson.
  • Tkachuk recorded 463 points, with 213 goals and 250 assists, in 572 games over eight seasons in Ottawa.
  • Ottawa began last season 2-4-1 over seven games and started the previous season 6-7-0 over 13 games.
  • Linus Ullmark was removed after the second period against Boston following a crease collision with JJ Peterka; Travis Green called it precautionary.
  • Ottawa are scheduled to play the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena before their home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.

IHM Discussion

Two games cannot settle the wider questions facing Ottawa after Tkachuk’s departure, but they do show a club making a cleaner start than in its two previous seasons. The Senators had spent recent autumns chasing ground after uneven opening stretches. This time, they have banked four points immediately and done so while allowing only three goals.

Stützle supplied the decisive attacking edge in Boston. His first goal came when a David Pastrnak turnover created a 2-on-1 with Michael Amadio while Ottawa were short-handed. His second followed another turnover on the same Bruins power play, with Stützle carrying the chance the length of the ice and scoring three seconds after the penalty expired. Those plays reflected quick punishment of loose puck decisions rather than a need for Ottawa to dominate possession for long spells.

Batherson’s comments also point to the internal standard Ottawa want to establish: a group that plays for one another regardless of the nightly lineup. Green has linked the emphasis to improving the club’s starts, saying the Senators revisited how they had played last season and the game that had made them successful over its opening 10 games. That is a more useful early measure than any broad claim about replacing one player’s production.

Ullmark’s status deserves attention because Ottawa’s strong defensive opening has included only three goals against. Green’s precautionary description provides no basis to project an absence, but it makes the next update on the goaltender a relevant checkpoint.

Why It Matters

The Senators are attempting to establish stability in their first season since 2017-18 without Tkachuk. His production and captaincy leave a significant void, but Ottawa’s first response has been collective: goals from Stützle and Batherson, a disciplined short-handed contribution in Boston and a low goals-against total over two games.

The contrast with the previous two starts is important. Ottawa were 2-4-1 after seven games last season and 6-7-0 after 13 games the year before. Starting 2-0-0 does not erase the need to sustain their habits, as Stützle himself acknowledged, but it means the club is not immediately trying to recover lost points.

Stützle’s three-point night carries historical weight as well as present-day value. By tying Tkachuk for fourth in franchise history with 33 career three-point games, he underlined his central role in Ottawa’s attack at the outset of this new phase.

Fan Pulse

For Senators supporters, the appeal of this opening is not simply the unbeaten record. It is that Ottawa have begun the season with tangible evidence of a shared response after a major off-season change. Stützle’s scoring burst in Boston and Batherson’s contribution gave the group visible offensive leaders, while the three goals conceded across two games offered an encouraging defensive marker.

The Ullmark situation tempers the immediate mood. Until there is a further update, the appropriate reading is Green’s: the removal was precautionary. The next game and the home opener will give supporters further opportunities to assess whether the sharp early standard is being repeated.

Mini Q&A

How have the Senators started the season without Brady Tkachuk?

Ottawa are 2-0-0 after wins over Toronto and Boston, with seven goals scored and three conceded.

What did Tim Stützle do against Boston?

Stützle scored twice in 1:43 in the first period, including a short-handed goal, and assisted on Drake Batherson’s second-period goal.

Why did Linus Ullmark leave the Boston game?

Ullmark left after the second period following a collision with JJ Peterka in the crease. Travis Green called the decision precautionary.

What is next for Ottawa?

The Senators are scheduled to play Detroit on the road before hosting Philadelphia in their home opener.

Coach Mark Comment

Ottawa’s most encouraging sequence in Boston was the response to turnovers on the penalty kill. Stützle converted two rush situations generated from Bruins mistakes, including one while short-handed. That speaks to alertness and speed in transition, but the repeatable coaching point is the collective work Green identified: playing the right way as a team. The Senators do not need every night to resemble Stützle’s three-point performance; they need the same connected defensive detail and readiness to attack when chances appear.

What Comes Next

Ottawa’s next stated checkpoint is a road game against Detroit at Little Caesars Arena, followed by the Senators’ home opener against Philadelphia at Canadian Tire Centre. Any further information on Ullmark after his precautionary removal against Boston will also be significant.

IHM Final View

Ottawa have made the start they said they needed. The Senators are 2-0-0, have outscored opponents 7-3 and have received an immediate statement performance from Stützle. The test now is not to define the season from two wins, but to carry the same collective standard into the games ahead while awaiting clarity on Ullmark.

IHM NHL News: Thomas Chabot named Senators captain for 2026-27

Thomas Chabot named Senators captain for 2026-27

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Thomas Chabot has been named captain of the Ottawa Senators ahead of the club’s first game of the 2026-27 season.

The 29-year-old defenceman becomes the successor to Brady Tkachuk, who had worn the C for the previous five seasons before being traded to the Florida Panthers on June 21. Chabot is Ottawa’s longest-tenured player, having spent all nine of his NHL seasons with the Senators since they selected him 18th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Claude Giroux and Tim Stutzle will serve as alternate captains at forward, with Jake Sanderson named an alternate from the blue line. The announcement formalises a new leadership group around a player whose tenure, workload and standing within the organisation have made him a central figure in Ottawa.

Chabot said the appointment was a “huge honour”, adding that he believes the Senators have a close group entering the season. General manager Steve Staios praised Chabot’s commitment to the city and organisation, as well as his team-first approach.

Key Facts

  • Thomas Chabot has been named captain of the Ottawa Senators ahead of their first game of the 2026-27 regular season.
  • Chabot, 29, is Ottawa’s longest-tenured player and has played all nine of his NHL seasons with the club.
  • The Senators selected Chabot in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft.
  • He replaces Brady Tkachuk, who captained Ottawa for five seasons before being traded to the Florida Panthers on June 21.
  • Claude Giroux, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson have been named alternate captains.
  • Chabot recorded 31 points, including seven goals and 24 assists, in 57 games last season while averaging 22:35 of ice time per game.
  • In Ottawa’s four-game playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Chabot led the Stanley Cup Playoffs in average ice time at 31:07 per game.
  • Across 569 regular-season games, Chabot has 78 goals, 257 assists and 335 points. He has added four points in 10 postseason games.

IHM Discussion

The captaincy recognises both Chabot’s longevity and the scale of his responsibilities on Ottawa’s blue line. He has remained with the Senators throughout his NHL career, and last season he was second on the club in average ice time, behind only Sanderson. In the playoffs, his 31:07 average over four games underlined how heavily Ottawa relied on him in demanding minutes.

That workload does not by itself define leadership, but it gives Chabot a prominent daily role from which to set standards. A captain on the blue line is often closely connected to the rhythm of a game: managing shifts, responding after momentum swings and communicating through defensive situations. Chabot’s appointment places the C with a player who already occupies those high-leverage stretches.

The alternate group also gives Ottawa a spread of experience and roles. Giroux brings a forward’s perspective, Stutzle is part of the club’s attacking core, and Sanderson joins Chabot as a leadership presence on defence. The important detail is not a wholesale remaking of the dressing room, but a clarified structure after Tkachuk’s departure.

Chabot’s public reaction was notably emotional, describing the role as a major honour. That response fits the significance of the appointment for a player drafted and developed by Ottawa, and for a club beginning its season with a new captain in place.

Why It Matters

Ottawa’s captaincy had to be addressed following Tkachuk’s trade, and the Senators have turned to the player with the longest uninterrupted connection to the club. Chabot’s selection provides a clear leadership reference point before the regular season begins.

It also aligns the captaincy with a player who handles major minutes. Last season, he averaged 22:35 per game, then carried an even greater load in the postseason. His on-ice role and formal leadership role will now sit together, while Giroux, Stutzle and Sanderson provide support as alternates.

For the Senators, the immediate significance is organisational clarity rather than a change to the hockey calendar: the leadership group is set before the opener in Toronto.

Fan Pulse

For Ottawa supporters, Chabot’s appointment offers continuity at a moment of change. Tkachuk’s exit removed the previous captain, but the Senators have promoted a player who has spent his entire NHL career with the club. The announcement also gives fans a defined leadership group to follow into the season, with Giroux, Stutzle and Sanderson alongside Chabot.

Mini Q&A

Who is the new Ottawa Senators captain?

Thomas Chabot has been named captain of the Ottawa Senators ahead of the 2026-27 season opener.

Who did Thomas Chabot replace as Senators captain?

Chabot replaces Brady Tkachuk, who had been Ottawa’s captain for the previous five seasons before his trade to the Florida Panthers on June 21.

Who are Ottawa’s alternate captains?

Claude Giroux, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson have been named alternate captains.

What did Chabot produce last season?

Chabot had seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 57 games, averaging 22:35 of ice time per game.

Coach Mark Comment

Naming a captain from the blue line places added emphasis on composed communication during the busiest parts of a game. Chabot already carries substantial minutes, and his playoff average showed Ottawa trusted him in extended situations. The key value of this appointment is that the formal leadership role matches an established on-ice responsibility, while the alternate captains give the group voices across both forward and defence.

What Comes Next

The Senators open their regular season at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. It will be Chabot’s first game as Ottawa captain.

IHM Final View

Chabot’s promotion is a straightforward statement of trust in a long-serving Senator who has handled significant responsibility on the ice. With Tkachuk no longer in Ottawa, the club has chosen continuity through Chabot’s tenure while establishing a wider leadership group around him ahead of the new season.

Hockeyville in Saint-Boniface: Senators vs Canadiens

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Kraft Hockeyville has returned to Quebec as Saint-Boniface hosts a National Hockey League pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres. Arena de Saint-Boniface received $250,000 in upgrades as part of a wider $7.2 million renovation budget supported by the Hockeyville prize and local effort. The event will feature pre-game festivities and player appearances, and marks Hockeyville’s first return to the province since a 3-2 Canadiens win over the Buffalo Sabres in Roberval on Sept. 23, 2008. Local organiser Jean-Sebastien Descoteaux said the community is eager for fans to meet their idols and watch the game, while volunteers disassembled and moved the arena from Radisson before rebuilding it following its $1 purchase.

Key Facts

  • Kraft Hockeyville has chosen Saint-Boniface, Quebec, as this year’s host community.
  • A pre-season game will be played between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
  • The game is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TVAS, SN1 and NHLN.
  • Arena de Saint-Boniface received $250,000 in upgrades from the Hockeyville grand prize.
  • The $250,000 prize helped grow a renovation budget to $7.2 million for Arena de Saint-Boniface.
  • Volunteers purchased the arena for $1, disassembled it in Radisson, Quebec, and shipped it 14 hours south to rebuild it in Saint-Boniface.
  • Hockeyville returns to Quebec for the first time since a 3-2 Canadiens win against the Buffalo Sabres in Roberval on Sept. 23, 2008.
  • Jean-Sebastien Descoteaux, who handles communications for the Saint-Boniface local organising committee, said the community was looking forward to fans meeting their idols and watching the game.
  • Saint-Boniface is described in its municipal history as originally erected July 1, 1855, under the name Canton de Shawenegan and later named Saint-Boniface.
  • Saint-Boniface is nearly equidistant between Montreal and Quebec City and about 20 minutes from Trois-Rivières and Colisée Vidéotron.
  • Amanda McKay, chair of the Elliot Lake Local Organizing Committee, is reported to be in Trois-Rivières on Monday for the ceremonial handoff of the Hockeyville trophy.

IHM Discussion

Hockeyville’s return to Quebec with Saint-Boniface at the centre of the festivities is as much about community infrastructure as it is about an NHL exhibition. The Arena de Saint-Boniface project began from a strikingly grassroots origin – a $1 purchase and a volunteer-led transplant of an arena structure from Radisson – and the $250,000 grand prize has been applied to upgrades within a $7.2 million renovation programme. The prize provides a significant contribution to a wider local project, while the volunteer history gives Saint-Boniface’s celebration its particular character.

For fans, the practical payoff is immediate. A pre-season meeting between the Senators and Canadiens at Colisee Videotron gives local supporters a chance to see two NHL clubs nearby. The event also includes a community celebration, red carpet, player appearances and other festivities that turn an exhibition game into a civic showpiece.

The 2008 Hockeyville game – a 3-2 Canadiens victory against Buffalo in Roberval – places the Saint-Boniface event in the programme’s Quebec history. Amanda McKay’s planned attendance for the ceremonial trophy handoff also links the new host community with Elliot Lake, the previous winner.

Why It Matters

Beyond a single pre-season matchup, Hockeyville events channel media attention, funding and volunteer energy into local arenas that might otherwise struggle to finance major renovations. The $250,000 prize in Saint-Boniface is explicitly cited as part of a larger $7.2 million budget that will renew community ice infrastructure. For young players, families and local businesses, the arrival of NHL clubs and the related fan programming can strengthen participation, boost local spending and raise the profile of grassroots hockey. For the league, these games keep the NHL connected to smaller communities and reinforce hockey’s cultural spread across the province and country.

Mini Q&A

What is happening in Saint-Boniface for Hockeyville?

Saint-Boniface is hosting a Kraft Hockeyville celebration that includes a pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens, plus pre-game festivities and player appearances.

Where will the pre-season game be played and when is it scheduled?

The game will be played at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, on Monday at 7 p.m. ET, with broadcasts on TVAS, SN1 and NHLN.

How much funding did Arena de Saint-Boniface receive from Hockeyville?

Arena de Saint-Boniface received $250,000 in upgrades from the Hockeyville grand prize.

What larger renovation programme does the Hockeyville prize support?

The $250,000 prize helped grow a renovation budget to $7.2 million for the Arena de Saint-Boniface.

When was the last time Hockeyville was held in Quebec?

Hockeyville last visited Quebec when the Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in Roberval on Sept. 23, 2008.

Coach Mark Comment

The lasting value is not the pre-season result but the attention directed towards a community rink. A major hockey event can give local volunteers and young players a memorable focal point, while the arena upgrades provide the tangible legacy of the celebration.

What Comes Next

Amanda McKay of the Elliot Lake local organising committee is expected in Trois-Rivieres on Monday for the ceremonial handoff of the Hockeyville trophy. The Senators – Canadiens pre-season game and associated Hockeyville festivities are also scheduled for Monday at Colisee Videotron.

IHM Final View

Saint-Boniface’s Hockeyville celebration is a reminder that NHL reach extends beyond arenas in major cities. The headline attraction is the Senators – Canadiens pre-season game, but the deeper story is civic: volunteer labour, a modest prize and a concentrated investment have combined to deliver a renovated facility and a community festival that will outlast a single evening of hockey.

Ottawa signs Drake Batherson to eight-year, $86M deal

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Drake Batherson signed an eight-year, $86 million contract with the Ottawa Senators. The deal carries an average annual value of $10.75 million, begins next season and follows a career-best campaign in which the 28-year-old forward scored 33 goals and registered 71 points in 79 regular-season games.

Key Facts

  • Drake Batherson signed an eight-year, $86 million contract with the Ottawa Senators.
  • The contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $10.75 million and begins next season.
  • Batherson, 28, is entering the final season of a six-year, $29.85 million contract he signed on Sept. 3, 2021 (that deal carried a $4.975 million AAV).
  • Last season Batherson set NHL career highs with 33 goals and 71 points in 79 regular-season games.
  • He added four points (three goals, one assist) in four Stanley Cup Playoff games last season.
  • Since his first full NHL season (2020-21), Batherson has 141 power-play points (55 goals) for Ottawa, second on the team to Tim Stutzle (145 points).
  • Batherson led the Senators last season with 30 power-play points (13 goals).
  • Selected by Ottawa in the fourth round (No. 121) of the 2017 NHL Draft.
  • Batherson has 364 points (149 goals, 215 assists) in 470 regular-season games, and six points (four goals, two assists) in 10 playoff games.
  • General manager Steve Staios said: ” Drake exemplifies what it is to be an Ottawa Senator. He was drafted and developed by our organisation and has shown a commitment to wanting to be in Ottawa long term. We view him as a key part of our core group.”

IHM Discussion

The eight-year term and $10.75 million AAV commit Ottawa to a forward coming off career highs of 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games. Batherson also produced four points, including three goals, in four playoff games last season.

Since his first full NHL season in 2020-21, Batherson ranks second for Ottawa with 141 power-play points, including 55 goals, behind Tim Stutzle’s 145 points. He led the Senators with 30 power-play points, including 13 goals, last season. That production gives Ottawa continuity with a proven power-play contributor as the new deal approaches.

Batherson has combined goal scoring and playmaking across 470 regular-season games, recording 149 goals and 215 assists. His long-term value will rest on sustaining that offensive production through the length of the contract.

Why It Matters

The deal keeps a player developed by Ottawa in the organisation for the long term. Batherson led the Senators with 30 power-play points last season and enters the final year of his previous contract before the new agreement begins.

IHM Market Outlook

Batherson’s new $10.75 million AAV is a significant increase on the $4.975 million AAV of his previous six-year contract. Ottawa has committed eight years to a forward coming off NHL career highs of 33 goals and 71 points.

Mini Q&A

What deal did Drake Batherson sign?

An eight-year, $86 million contract with the Ottawa Senators.

What is the contract’s average annual value?

$10.75 million AAV.

When does the contract begin?

The contract begins next season.

How did Batherson perform last season?

He scored a career-high 33 goals and posted 71 points in 79 regular-season games, plus four points (three goals, one assist) in four playoff games.

How long had his previous contract been and at what AAV?

He was entering the final season of a six-year, $29.85 million contract that carried a $4.975 million AAV.

Where was Batherson selected in the NHL Draft?

He was selected by Ottawa in the fourth round, No. 121 overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Coach Mark Comment

Batherson’s power-play production stands out: he led Ottawa with 30 points on the man advantage last season. Maintaining that role while keeping his five-on-five game effective will be central to the value of this long-term commitment.

What Comes Next

The contract begins next season, and Batherson is entering the final season of his previous six-year deal.

IHM Final View

Ottawa has made a long-term commitment to Batherson after a season in which he set career highs with 33 goals and 71 points. His power-play impact and ability to produce across the regular season will now be central to the value of the eight-year deal.

Stutzle: Senators must move on after Tkachuk trade

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Tim Stutzle said the Ottawa Senators will not dwell on the departure of former captain Brady Tkachuk and must “move on” after the June 21 trade that sent Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. Speaking at the European Player Media Tour in Munich on August 21, Stutzle wished his former teammate well, described Ottawa as an up-and-coming group and pointed to the club’s young core and recent additions as reasons for optimism.

Key Facts

  • Stutzle made his comments at the European Player Media Tour in Munich on August 21, 2026.
  • Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers on June 21, 2026.
  • Ottawa received the No. 9 and No. 25 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional first-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft in the Tkachuk trade.
  • The Senators acquired William Eklund from San Jose, Andre Burakovsky from Chicago and Samuel Ersson from Toronto in separate trades following the Tkachuk deal.
  • Stutzle, 24, led Ottawa last season with 83 points, including 34 goals and 49 assists, in 80 games.
  • He also worked on his defensive game and played on the penalty kill.
  • Stutzle said he did not know Tkachuk had requested a trade before the deal was completed.
  • Tkachuk, 26, has two seasons remaining on a seven-year, $57.5 million contract with an average annual value of $8.214 million.
  • Ottawa finished 44-27-11 last season and went 21-6-4 over its final 31 games before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in four games in the first round.
  • General manager Steve Staios said after the trade: “I want to be clear: I don’t intend on taking a step back with this group.”

IHM Discussion

Stutzle framed Ottawa’s response to losing its captain in direct terms: the move is complete and the Senators have to look forward. He called Tkachuk “a great teammate” and acknowledged that the club will miss him as a player, person and leader, while making clear that the focus has shifted to the roster that remains.

The return from the trade gives Ottawa significant draft capital, including two first-round selections in 2026, a second-round pick in 2027 and a conditional first-round pick in 2029. The Senators have also added William Eklund, Andre Burakovsky and Samuel Ersson through separate trades.

Stutzle remains central to the group Ottawa is building around. Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens and Claude Giroux are among the other established pieces around him, while Stutzle enters the new season after leading the club with 83 points.

His own development has also extended beyond offence. Stutzle credited coach Travis Green with encouraging skilled players to commit more heavily to the defensive side of the game, and his penalty-kill work last season was part of that progression.

Leadership is another part of the transition. Stutzle was an alternate captain last season and acknowledged that he will be among the players expected to take on greater responsibility after Tkachuk’s departure. At the same time, he stressed that Ottawa already has several players capable of leading rather than treating the captaincy question as a matter of replacing one individual with another.

Why It Matters

The Senators have moved on from a high-profile captain while receiving substantial draft capital and continuing to reshape the roster around a younger core. Stutzle’s response matters because he is already one of Ottawa’s leading offensive players and an established voice within the team.

His message is one of continuity rather than retreat. Ottawa finished strongly last season before its first-round playoff exit, and both Stutzle and general manager Steve Staios have publicly indicated that the club does not view the Tkachuk trade as a reason to lower expectations.

Mini Q&A

What did Stutzle say about Brady Tkachuk?

Stutzle wished Tkachuk well, described him as “a great teammate” and said Ottawa has to move forward. “We’ve got to move on. We’re going to miss him as a hockey player, as a person, and as a leader, but it is what it is,” he said.

Did Stutzle know Tkachuk had requested a trade?

No. Stutzle said he did not know about the request before the trade and indicated that such discussions are not necessarily shared among teammates. “Maybe other people have different opinions. That’s none of my business,” he said.

How did Stutzle describe the development of his own game?

Stutzle led Ottawa with 83 points last season while also working on his defensive game and taking penalty-kill minutes. He credited coach Travis Green with encouraging skilled players to take greater responsibility defensively.

What did Stutzle say about leadership after Tkachuk’s departure?

Stutzle said Ottawa has “so many guys who lead the team well.” He was an alternate captain last season and acknowledged that he will be among the players expected to take on more responsibility, while emphasising that leadership will be shared across the group.

Coach Mark Comment

Stutzle’s importance to Ottawa is no longer limited to scoring. An 83-point season already establishes his offensive value, while his willingness to take penalty-kill responsibility shows the broader development he has discussed under Travis Green.

After losing a captain, the Senators do not need one player to reproduce every part of Tkachuk’s role. What they need is greater responsibility spread across the existing core. Stutzle’s scoring, growing defensive involvement and established place within that group make him an obvious part of that transition.

What Comes Next

Ottawa now moves toward the 2026-27 season with a reshaped roster, additional draft capital and greater leadership responsibility across its remaining core. Stutzle’s stated priority is clear: focus on the players who are in Ottawa and continue building on the progress the Senators made last season.

IHM Final View

Stutzle’s message is respectful toward Tkachuk but firmly directed at Ottawa’s future. The trade changed the Senators’ leadership structure and roster picture, but it did not change the ambition expressed by their leading players and management. Ottawa enters its next chapter around a young core, recent additions and the expectation that players such as Stutzle will carry greater responsibility.

Tim Stützle: Senators must move on without Tkachuk

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Tim Stützle says the Ottawa Senators will move on after Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers in June, and he does not expect the club to take a step back in the standings. Speaking to NHL.com at the European Player Media Tour, Stützle thanked Tkachuk for what he contributed but said the team is focused on its current roster and on reaching the playoffs for a third straight season.

Key Facts

– Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers in June.

– Stützle spoke to NHL.com at the European Player Media Tour and said, “It’s his decision…we’ve got to move on.”

– Stützle said he did not know Tkachuk had requested a trade and noted that teammates generally do not discuss those matters.

– The Senators have made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons but have not yet won a playoff round.

– General manager Steve Staios has kept faith in the current core around Stützle, Jake Sanderson, Dylan Cozens, Drake Batherson and Thomas Chabot, and added Andre Burakovsky and William Eklund.

– Ottawa will meet Brady Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers on 21 October.

IHM Discussion

Stützle’s comments frame the immediate narrative for Ottawa: the club must absorb the loss of a prominent captain and maintain forward momentum. He framed the trade as final and outside the dressing-room remit, calling Tkachuk “always a great teammate” and emphasising the Senators’ need to focus on the group that remains. That message is as much about on-ice performance as it is about dressing-room culture – Stützle repeated that the team has “a bunch of great guys” and that the room has “so many guys who lead the team well.”

First, management has retained a recognisable core centred on Stützle, Jake Sanderson, Dylan Cozens, Drake Batherson and Thomas Chabot. Second, the club added Andre Burakovsky and William Eklund as complementary pieces. Stützle’s public willingness to move on removes ambiguity about his own commitment to Ottawa and positions him as the principal voice of continuity.

That continuity matters because the Senators arrive at the 2026-27 season with a still-young spine that has taken the club to consecutive post-seasons. Stützle’s message is defensive of that progress: he does not expect a step back and he explicitly tied stability to the locker-room culture that he says the club has built and is proud of.

Why It Matters

How Ottawa responds to Tkachuk’s departure will shape expectations for the season. If Stützle and the retained core can replace the lost leadership and production at even close to the same level, the Senators remain contenders for another playoff spot. If they cannot, the club’s inability to win a playoff round will become a larger story under increased pressure.

Mini Q&A

Will the Senators take a step back without Brady Tkachuk?

Stützle said he does not believe the Senators will step back and that the team must move on while focusing on the roster they currently have.

Did Stützle know Tkachuk had requested a trade?

Stützle said he did not know Tkachuk had requested a trade and added that teammates do not generally talk about those discussions.

Who is the nucleus Ottawa is building around?

The club’s core is centred on Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson, Dylan Cozens, Drake Batherson and Thomas Chabot, and the team added Andre Burakovsky and William Eklund as complementary additions.

When do the Senators play the Panthers?

Ottawa will face Florida and Brady Tkachuk on 21 October.

Coach Mark Comment

Stützle’s remarks make clear the onus on him as a leader will increase. That matters because leadership in a young dressing room is rarely concentrated in one person for long. The additions of Burakovsky and Eklund provide offence and depth options that can ease pressure on the core, but the Senators will depend on several players stepping into visible leadership roles rather than on a single successor to Tkachuk.

IHM Final View

Stützle’s public insistence that Ottawa move on sets a clear tone for the club: continuity, internal leadership and belief in the current core. That is a necessary starting point, but turning belief into postseason progress will require on-ice results and a distribution of leadership that replaces what the team lost in June.

Senators’ tracking data: offensive-zone dominance and speed

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Ottawa finished second in the NHL in offensive zone time percentage (43.4) last season while ranking among the League leaders in high-danger shots and goals, and showing elite straight-line speed from Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson. Key forwards Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens and Stutzle all ranked near the top among forwards for offensive-zone time last season, and the club’s defence corps posted high marks in the same metric.

Key Facts

  • The Senators ranked second in the NHL in offensive zone time percentage, 43.4, in 2025-26; they were seventh in that category in 2024-25 (41.8).
  • Drake Batherson ranked in the 98th percentile among forwards in offensive-zone starts percentage (46.0) and finished fifth in the NHL in offensive zone time percentage (48.3; fourth among forwards).
  • Dylan Cozens was tied for eighth in offensive zone time percentage (48.0). Tim Stutzle registered 46.5 (95th percentile) in offensive zone time percentage and 48.0 (99th percentile) in offensive-zone starts percentage.
  • William Eklund, acquired from the San Jose Sharks in the off-season, ranked in the 93rd percentile among forwards in offensive zone time percentage (45.9) last season and could play on the top line with Stutzle.
  • Defencemen Jordan Spence (47.6; tied for third) and Thomas Chabot (47.0; sixth) were both among the top 10 defensemen in offensive zone time percentage; Jake Sanderson measured 44.8 (90th percentile).
  • Ottawa ranked second in offensive zone time percentage at even strength (43.0), tied for fourth on the power play (60.6) and third on the penalty kill (29.0).
  • On high-danger metrics, Ottawa ranked fifth in the NHL in high-danger shots on goal (715) and high-danger goals (143); they were seventh in mid-range shots on goal (699) and tied for eighth in long-range goals (21).
  • Individual high-danger and mid-range leaders included Batherson (tied for fifth in the NHL in high-danger goals, 24), Stutzle (20 high-danger goals) and Cozens (15 mid-range goals, tied for 10th).
  • Fabian Zetterlund was tied for third among forwards in long-range goals (four) and ranked in the 95th percentile among forwards in hardest shot (94.30 mph). Shane Pinto posted NHL career highs with 46 points and 23 goals last season and ranked in the 80th percentile or higher across several shot and goal measures.
  • Sanderson led all defencemen in max skating speed (24.27 mph) and was fifth in the NHL in that metric; he ranked among the defence leaders in high-danger and long-range shot metrics, while Tyler Kleven recorded the hardest shot attempt in the NHL (103.51 mph).
  • Team speed measures placed Ottawa ninth in 20-plus mph speed bursts (1,953) and fifth in 22-plus mph bursts (126). Stutzle finished fifth in the NHL in 20-plus mph bursts (364) and third in 22-plus bursts (46), and has been in the 90th percentile or higher in these skating metrics in each of the past four seasons.

IHM Discussion

These advanced-stat metrics paint a clear picture: Ottawa sustained large shares of offensive possession and converted high-quality chances at a top-tier level last season, while possessing two elite-speed players in Stutzle and Sanderson. Offensive zone time percentage is a blunt measure of territorial control; the Senators’ second-place team mark (43.4) came alongside strong special-teams zone residency, including a 60.6 figure on the power play.

At the player level, Batherson, Cozens and Stutzle are listed among the club’s most dangerous finishing options. Batherson’s placement in the 98th percentile for offensive-zone starts percentage, and his top-five league rank in offensive zone time percentage, show how he was deployed into favourable attacking situations. Cozens and Stutzle produced the sorts of high-danger shot totals and goals that follow sustained zone time, and Sanderson provided production from the back end as well as elite straight-line speed.

Two roster notes stand out. William Eklund, newly acquired from San Jose, ranked highly in offensive-zone time percentage last season and could slot onto a top line with Stutzle. Fabian Zetterlund is flagged as a candidate for an expanded role after finishing near the top among forwards in long-range goals and showing elite hardest-shot numbers for his position.

Why It Matters

Offensive zone time, high-danger finishing and elite speed are complementary traits. A team that consistently begins shifts and spends more time in the attacking zone creates more opportunities to generate the high-danger shots that lead to goals. Ottawa’s combination of team-level zone residency, strong numbers in high-danger shots and goals, and specific players who create or finish those chances gives them tangible avenues to score without needing to alter identity.

Equally, the speed metrics for Stutzle and Sanderson underline a two-way benefit. Stutzle’s repeated presence in the 90th percentile or higher for max speed and speed bursts supports quick transition offence and the ability to break coverage. Sanderson’s elite sprinting from the back end adds a dimension to breakout and offensive support that shows up in his shot-volume metrics.

What Comes Next

This assessment forms part of a 32-team preview of the 2026-27 season. The tracking data figures above provide a statistical frame for how Ottawa’s possession profile, danger-zone finishing and elite skating might influence their game plan and roster usage heading into 2026-27.

Mini Q&A

Where did Ottawa sit in offensive-zone time last season?

They ranked second in the NHL in offensive zone time percentage, 43.4, in 2025-26, after ranking seventh in that category the previous season (41.8).

Which Senators drove those possession numbers?

Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens and Tim Stutzle all ranked highly in offensive-zone time percentage. Batherson finished fifth in the NHL in that metric (48.3), Cozens was tied for eighth (48.0) and Stutzle registered 46.5.

How did Ottawa perform in high-danger shooting?

Ottawa was fifth in the NHL in high-danger shots on goal (715) and high-danger goals (143). Several forwards, including Batherson, Stutzle and Cozens, were among the League leaders in high-danger shots and goals.

Who provides the team’s top speed?

Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson headlined the club’s pace metrics. Team-wide, Ottawa ranked ninth in 20-plus mph bursts and fifth in 22-plus mph bursts; Stutzle and Sanderson logged some of the highest individual totals in those categories.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective, offensive-zone time and consistent high-danger chances give a staff options. If a team can tilt play toward the opponent’s end reliably, it can simplify deployment choices: sustain offensive pressure rather than forcing risky stretch plays. That 60.6 power-play zone time number is especially useful; coaches prize possession on the man advantage because it often limits needless defensive transitions.

Speed is not just flashy; it changes how you defend and attack. Stutzle’s ability to generate 20-plus and 22-plus mph bursts repeatedly forces opponents to respect pace on entries and counters. Sanderson giving that same speed from the back end lets a coach trust more aggressive pinches or support on the rush without sacrificing gap recovery.

IHM Final View

Advanced-stat metrics make it plain that Ottawa enters 2026-27 with measurable strengths: elite offensive-zone residency, top-five rates in high-danger production, and genuine high-end speed from two core players. The additions and internal candidates flagged by these numbers – William Eklund as a potential top-line partner for Stutzle, and Fabian Zetterlund as a candidate for a larger role – are the immediate roster items to watch as the Senators translate these statistical advantages into actual lines and minutes.

IHM NHL Rumors: Senators, Batherson face ticking contract clock

Senators, Batherson face ticking contract clock

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Negotiations between the Ottawa Senators and winger Drake Batherson remain unresolved, with a clear gap on the length and value of a new contract. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports both sides want a deal, but Batherson prefers an eight-year term and, unless an agreement is reached by September 15, the longest available contract length will shrink. The market for similar NHL wingers points to a next-contract average annual value in the $10 million to $11 million range.

Key Facts

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports a gap exists between the Senators and Drake Batherson on his next contract.
  • Batherson has been eligible to sign an extension since 1 July.
  • By 15 September the Senators and Batherson will lose the ability to complete an eight-year deal; after that date only shorter maximum terms are available.
  • Batherson reportedly wants an eight-year deal; the Senators want to sign him.
  • Market comparables for wingers last off-season set a range that could place Batherson’s next deal around $10 million to $11 million per season.
  • Batherson currently earns $4.95 million.
  • Senators general manager Steve Staios has made extending Batherson a priority.
  • The recent trade of Brady Tkachuk is cited by the club as context for Batherson’s importance to Ottawa.
  • Should Batherson remain unsigned heading into the trade deadline, Ottawa may face the option of trading him to secure assets.
  • Comparable winger contracts cited as market setters include Alex Tuch, Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor and Martin Necas.

IHM Discussion

The central tension here is time and term. Batherson and the Senators both want to agree, but the September 15 calendar cut changes the calculus: an eight-year structure that the player prefers will not be available past that date. That crystallises a hard deadline that goes beyond price alone. It forces both sides to decide whether they accept a longer-term commitment now or continue negotiating with less term flexibility later.

Salary expectations are another clear pressure point. The market for top wingers pushed values higher last off-season, and the $10 – 11 million band Garrioch references would be a substantial bump from Batherson’s $4.95 million. The practical effect is straightforward: Ottawa knows what Batherson means to the roster after the Brady Tkachuk trade, but matching market-driven AAVs while protecting future flexibility is the management dilemma.

If Ottawa judges they cannot reach a deal that matches the player’s term and money expectations before the trade deadline, turning a high-scoring, in-demand winger into assets becomes a realistic roster-management route rather than a throwaway threat. That conditional path is the implicit leverage in play for both parties.

Why It Matters

This is consequential for both Batherson’s earning window and Ottawa’s short-term roster planning. An eight-year contract locks in term and the ability to smooth annual average value over a longer span; losing that option after 15 September forces shorter maximum term choices that can change annual value negotiations. For Ottawa, failing to secure Batherson under their preferred structure would mean either committing significant salary long-term or preparing to find value through trade if the market pushes the price beyond their comfort zone.

There is also a performance hinge. Garrioch notes that another 30-goal season from Batherson would strengthen his market case and make a sizeable raise from $4.95 million almost inevitable if he reaches unrestricted free agency. That simple arithmetic turns on-ice production into immediate bargaining power.

What Comes Next

  • 15 September: the key calendar checkpoint when an eight-year extension will no longer be possible for the Senators and Batherson.
  • Training camp/opening of the season: the practical negotiation window the source asks about – whether the parties will complete a deal when camp opens.
  • Trade deadline: referenced as the later roster checkpoint if the extension remains unresolved and Ottawa opts to secure assets instead of risking a late-market free-agent outcome.

IHM Market Outlook

The winger market established last off-season provides the arithmetic driving this story. Names such as Alex Tuch, Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor and Martin Necas are cited as comparables that moved the market for scoring wingers. That market context is the reason a $10 – 11 million AAV range has entered public negotiations and why Ottawa feels pressure to either reach terms or prepare contingency plans.

Mini Q&A

How big is the disagreement? There is a gap on contract specifics between Ottawa and Batherson, primarily around term and the structure of his next deal.

What is the deadline that changes options? By 15 September the ability to complete an eight-year deal will end; after that date the maximum term for a contract with Ottawa will be shorter.

What sort of salary is being discussed? The market signals a next-contract average annual value in the $10 million to $11 million range.

What happens if they do not agree? The Senators may consider trading Batherson at the deadline to secure assets rather than risk losing negotiating leverage.

Is this a priority for the club? Yes. General manager Steve Staios has made Batherson’s extension a priority, and the team views him as important following the trade of Brady Tkachuk.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching and roster viewpoint, certainty matters. Retaining a reliable winger who can push for 30 goals stabilises planning for line construction and scoring expectations. If a player’s status is in flux, coaches have to prepare contingency plans for deployment and chemistry – a disruptive scenario during a season. That practical coaching need is why clubs often push to resolve these kinds of negotiations before the season timetable hardens.

IHM Final View

The Batherson negotiation is a classic market-versus-term problem with a hard calendar twist. The September 15 term cut forces a decision point that benefits clarity over drawn-out bargaining. For Ottawa the choice is binary in effect: reach a long-term compromise now, or accept shorter-term options and the real possibility of dealing the winger for assets if the price moves beyond their plan. Either outcome will shape Ottawa’s roster picture for the coming seasons.

Hurricanes Sweep Senators - Carolina Sends Statement | IHM

Hurricanes Sweep Senators - Carolina Sends Statement | IHM

Hurricanes Sweep Senators - Carolina Sends a Clear Playoff Signal

Date: April 26, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom

This was not just a series win. This was control from start to finish.

Carolina closes the series 4-0 against Ottawa, and the most important detail is not the sweep itself - it is how it happened. The Hurricanes never lost control of the game flow across all four matchups.

🚨 GAME 4 - WHERE DISCIPLINE DECIDED EVERYTHING

Logan Stankoven’s power-play goal in the third period was the turning point, but it came from a much deeper foundation - discipline and structure.

Carolina stayed composed under pressure and capitalized at the exact moment Ottawa needed to respond.

IHM Signal:
Playoff games are decided not by chances, but by who executes when it matters most.

🔥 STANKOVEN - THE SERIES DIFFERENCE

One goal in every game. That is not luck - that is impact.

Stankoven brought:

  • Consistent scoring pressure
  • Net-front presence
  • Timing in key moments

He became the type of player every playoff team needs - not just productive, but reliable when the game tightens.

IHM Insight:
Series are often decided by secondary stars stepping into primary roles.

🎯 SPECIAL TEAMS - COMPLETE DOMINATION

The biggest gap between the teams was not even strength play - it was special teams.

  • Carolina power play delivered when needed
  • Ottawa power play collapsed (1-for-21 in series)

This alone explains the sweep.

IHM Signal:
If your power play fails in playoffs, your season ends quickly.

🧱 CAROLINA STRUCTURE - THE REAL STORY

Carolina did not overwhelm Ottawa with offense. It controlled the game through structure:

  • Strong defensive spacing
  • Shot blocking discipline
  • Controlled puck exits

Ottawa rarely found clean space, and when it did, Andersen shut the door.

🥅 ANDERSEN - QUIET BUT CRITICAL

Frederik Andersen delivered one of the most important performances of the series.

Not flashy, but consistent:

  • Stable positioning
  • Key saves in momentum moments
  • Confidence for the entire defensive unit

IHM Insight:
Elite playoff goalies don’t need highlight saves - they remove chaos from the game.

⚠️ OTTAWA - CLOSE BUT NOT READY

The Senators were not dominated in skill. They were beaten in execution.

Positives:

  • Competitive effort
  • Physical engagement
  • Moments of offensive pressure

But key problems:

  • Special teams failure
  • Inability to finish chances
  • Lack of control in critical moments

IHM Signal:
Close games don’t matter if you cannot convert them into wins.

📊 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ROUND 2

Carolina now enters the next round with:

  • Maximum confidence
  • Clear identity
  • System stability

They will face either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh - both teams currently dealing with instability.

IHM Projection:
Carolina enters Round 2 as one of the most complete teams in the playoffs.

🧠 Coach Mark Comment

This is a perfect example of playoff hockey done right. Carolina did not try to outplay Ottawa with talent. They controlled structure, managed emotions and executed better in key moments. Ottawa is improving, but they are not yet at the level where they can win these types of series. Carolina is ready for a deeper run.

🔥 Fan Pulse

Are the Hurricanes now a real Stanley Cup contender after this sweep?

❓ Q&A: Hurricanes vs Senators Series

Why was this sweep important?
Because Carolina controlled every game and never lost structure.

What decided the series?
Special teams and execution in key moments.

Who was the key player?
Logan Stankoven for consistent scoring impact.

Did Ottawa play poorly?
No, but they failed in critical situations.

What is next for Carolina?
A strong position entering Round 2 with full momentum.