Senator News and Rumors: Call, Comfortable Influence and Spencer’s Arrival – Hockey Writer – Ottawa Senator
The Ottawa Senators closed on opening night and had a lot of questions about the lineup. With two preseason games left, the coaching staff is still fine-tuning the lineup, finally browsing the prospects and outlining the team’s expectations for future situations. The 2025-26 season has been much higher, given that the Senators finally won a playoff spot last spring. Is this the season for them to prove that they belong to NHL competitors?
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This week brought everything. The call from the American Hockey League (AHL) Belleville Senator continues to assess the high-profile trade acquisitions and the arrival of new faces that may play a major role in the coming years.
Project 1: Senators call in-depth selection before final preseason
Senators swept their roster on Wednesday, promoting Belleville’s young players and in-depth films, the final section of the preseason. Forwards Oskar Pettersson, Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Boucher and Jorian Donovan joined defenseman Tomas Hamara and goalkeeper Hunter Shepard as Ottawa played against the St. Louis Blues and the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
None of these players will be the opening squad. Still, they are called a dual purpose: they provide coaches with the last chance to assess future talent, and they can protect regulars from unnecessary risks before the season begins.
Hamara is a 21-year-old Blueliner who scored 55 points in the Ontario Hockey League last season, perhaps the most attractive part of the group. Bourgault will continue to grow after a 26-point campaign in Belleville, while former first-round draft pick Boucher is working on an ongoing work. Shepard (signed in the offseason) added depth to the goal, despite the crowded roads in his NHL ICE.
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In short, these auditions at that time were less than the shocking roster photos, but more about rewarding hard work. When the Tampa Bay Chargers arrived at the season’s opener on October 9, Senators’ top brass already knew who they would rely on.
Project 2: What are Ottawa’s expectations for Dylan this season?
One of the most important issues entering the season is that Dylan Cozens will be the first full season for the Senator. The 24-year-old center scored a 16-point impression from the Buffalo Sabres during last year’s trade deadline, including eight games, including eight points. His perseverance is equally valuable: Cozens registered a career high (205) and blocked the shooting (45), which shows that he is more than just an offensive threat.
His potential is irresistible. Cozens has proven he can score, with 31 goals in the 2022-23 Saber team. Playing behind Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk gave him a chance to rediscover this touch. His advanced statistics tell a similar story – ranking near the league leaders who shot and scored mid-range goals, while his skating outburst made him a dangerous transition player. For Ottawa, he is not only a second-tier center. He is a tone that can tilt the game at the same refined and muscle speed.
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If Cozens can balance his physical game with his scoring ability, the Senators’ forward panel suddenly looks deeper. In a league where playoff success often depends on the contribution of the highest line, his influence could be the difference between another playoff spot and the real game.
Project 3: Jordan Spence brings Ottawa’s Blue Line
Another storyline to watch is plus Jordan Spence, the 24-year-old defensive player who was awarded from the Los Angeles Kings in June. Spence follows the season-breaking high heels, which put him high in his career with goals (four), assists (24), points (28), and Plus/Minus (Plus-23). His responsible two-way game should be a welcome addition to the Senators team who intend to reduce defensive turnovers.
Spence started in the third pair season with Tyler Kleven and he wouldn’t be buried if he played his part. Ottawa’s defense already has talent in Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Artem Zub and Nick Jensen. Still, Spence brings an element of liquidity and hockey skills that can earn more time. Senators didn’t pay a high price, only the third round of the 2025 and the sixth round of the 2026 player – but they may have landed a player who can grow into a core work.
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In a league where defensive depth often separates competitors from pretenders, Spencer’s presence makes Ottawa’s Blue Line one of the quietest groups in the Eastern Conference.
What’s next for the Senator?
With the preseason finale, the roster is mostly set, and the question now revolves around execution: Can Cozens improve the depth of progress? Will Spence help stabilize the defense? Is the call of youth enough to keep veterans honest?
The Senators built a team that was balanced on paper – a tandem with skill, perseverance and a goalkeeper who could bear the burden. However, as usual, the number of matches will appear. The real test started on October 9 against Lightning. By then, the evaluation will end and the answer will appear on the ice.
