The 2025 NHL free agency period officially began three weeks ago, and while many teams have made big splashes with big moves, it’s been a fairly chill summer for the Ottawa Senators.
But that doesn’t mean there weren’t significant player exits from the team. So, here's a fulsome review of the departures, some of which may have slipped under your radar, and how the Senators have backfilled each hole.
The Big Departures
Perhaps the most notable departure this summer was goaltender Anton Forsberg, who signed with the Los Angeles Kings. Forsberg had been a mainstay in Ottawa’s crease since being claimed off waivers in 2021.
His backup role is now expected to be filled by Leevi Meriläinen, who played 12 games in Ottawa last season and was outstanding. Meriläinen turns 23 next month, so he’ll be one of the youngest goalies in the NHL this season.
Ottawa Senators Sign Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen To New One-Way ContractThe Ottawa Senators have signed goaltender Leevi Meriläinen to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.05 million.
With Forsberg leaving, combined with worries from last year's rash of injuries, the Sens signed two new goalies. Hunter Shepard was pulled away from the Washington Capitals organization. The team also signed Embrun’s Jackson Parsons, an undrafted free agent, who hopes to push Shepard and Mads Søgaard for minutes in Belleville.
Adam Gaudette was a neat story this year, grabbing the final spot on the roster in training camp, then being placed on waivers. After clearing, he scored a career-high 19 goals and parlayed that into a two-year deal worth $2 million a season with the San Jose Sharks. Most Sens fans were happy for him, but were also happy the Sens didn't overspend to keep him.
Gaudette’s role in Ottawa will probably be directly claimed by NHL veteran Lars Eller, who signed a one-year deal with the Senators.
Travis Hamonic, who manned Ottawa's blue line for the past three and a half years, was not re-signed and remains an unrestricted free agent. His spot on the NHL organizational roster was filled when the Sens traded for LA Kings defenseman Jordan Spence.
Spence and Nik Matinpalo will probably jostle for the 6-7 role this season, or maybe more than that if Nick Jensen is out. Carter Yakemchuk, the Sens’ best prospect, will turn pro this fall and might also force his way into this conversation.
The Moves You May Have Missed
A handful of other players who spent meaningful time with the Senators also found new homes in the past three weeks.
After 41 games in Ottawa, Matthew Highmore signed with the New York Islanders, while Cole Reinhardt (17 games) made his way to the Vegas Golden Knights. Both players provided depth in Ottawa’s lineup last season.
While they’re not the same kinds of forwards, their roles on the organizational depth chart were filled by the Sens’ free-agent signings of Arthur Kaliyev (NYR) and Olle Lycksell (PHI). Both players saw meaningful NHL time last season. In fact, Kaliyev had been a regular for the LA Kings for three years until his trade to New York last season.
Ottawa Senators Sign Five Players, Including Former OHL Sniper Arthur KaliyevWhen the Ottawa Senators selected Shane Pinto 32nd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, some Sens fans raised an eyebrow or two, wondering if Hamilton Bulldogs winger Arthur Kaliyev might have been the better choice. Kaliyev had just put up a 51-goal OHL season, and ended up being chosen by the LA Kings with the very next pick after Pinto.
Several other Sens players were allowed to walk after their contracts expired. These include Angus Crookshank, whose work ethic made him a fan favorite. He finds himself now with the New Jersey Devils.
Defenseman Dennis Gilbert, who came over at the deadline from the Buffalo Sabres, has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Sens’ re-signing of former first-rounder Lassi Thomson helped to fill that organizational gap. Thomson played in Sweden last season, but his playing rights still belonged to the Sens.
Restricted Free Agents
The Senators still have some restricted free agents (RFAs) left to deal with this summer. Forward Jan Jeník, along with defensemen Max Guénette and Donovan Sebrango, all received qualifying offers but have not yet been officially signed.
Right now, with Belleville’s veteran 28-year-old all-star Jeremy Davies signing with Vegas, the B-Sens’ blue line is tracking to be very young this season. The other notable factor is that Belleville currently has only three forwards signed beyond this season.
Big Picture
Collectively, the summer signings haven't been what you’d call game-changing, the team’s deadline day acquisitions – Fabian Zetterlund and Dylan Cozens – can’t be ignored when measuring the complete picture and improvements the club has made for this fall. Hanging on to Zetterlund, Claude Giroux, and Nick Cousins, who all needed new deals, was also meaningful.
But now that all the smoke has cleared, all Sens fans can do now over the next couple of months is hope that the summer comings and goings are enough to help a maturing core take the next step.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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