It is difficult to take solace in consolation prizes so soon after losing to your arch-nemesis for the fifth time in modern-day franchise history.

That said, close examination will reveal that bowing out in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was part of the process of getting the Ottawa Senators to the “Best in Class” status they strive for.

Here are eight positives that can be drawn from the season:

TRAVIS GREEN

He wasn’t everybody’s first choice, given some of the available candidates to fill the position. However, Green steered the ship very effectively and showed himself to be a strong communicator with his team and with the media.

The key for him moving forward will be keeping the message fresh.

STEVE STAIOS

You can’t acknowledge Travis Green without acknowledging the man who hired him. Staios’ first full campaign wasn’t limited to hiring a new coach. The off-season acquisitions of Linus Ullmark, David Perron, Michael Amadio, Adam Gaudette, Nick Cousins, and Nick Jensen all paid dividends to one degree or another.

His first meaningful trade deadline also brought in Dylan Cozens and pending RFA Fabian Zetterlund, who both show promise for today and tomorrow. Staios also showed that he isn’t married to popular players by moving Josh Norris and serving notice to the rest of the team that he will do what it takes.

TYLER KLEVEN

With only 17 career NHL games to his credit, Kleven became a regular for the first time this season. He steadied the bottom pair and did so with multiple partners.

Kleven gave Sens Nation a glimpse of what is to come, with the series against the Leafs being his true coming-out party. He may be a bottom-pair defenceman today, but he may end up being more than that when all is said and done.

LEVI MERILÄINEN

Though he only started 12 games in Ottawa this year, he did enough when Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg were injured to play a significant role in the Senators making it to the postseason.

With Forsberg’s contract expiring and Mads Søgaard about to be on a one-way deal for 2025–26, Meriläinen has given the team serious pause for thought about who will be backing up Ullmark next season.

His AHL numbers were also stellar, nearly guiding an offensively challenged team to the postseason. He also played 55 combined games between Ottawa and Belleville, showing that physical and mental durability is there.

RIDLY GREIG

There was never any doubt about Greig as an NHLer. However, there was some wait-and-see as he played his last season of entry-level to determine if he would be worth the four-year extension he signed for $3.25 million AAV.

What seemed like a potential overpay is now looking like a value contract that is very team-friendly. His offensive production didn’t skyrocket over his previous campaign, but he played up and down the lineup until the trio of Greig/Pinto/Amadio was formed.

He also showed the grit and willingness to get in an opponent’s face, which is part of why the Senators drafted him in 2020. This is no shrinking violet, and it’s easy to project Greig as a 50+ point player before long.

NIKOLAS MATINPALO

Heading into this season, Matinpalo had not exactly made a splash in the Senators organization, with only four games played last season.

His ability to steady the D-zone and defend effectively was not only on display with the Senators but also in the Four Nations Cup, where he was a late add-on to the roster and found himself matched up against the other team’s top lines.

His offensive production doesn’t jump off the page, but Matinpalo showed himself to be more than willing to join the rush as he gained more confidence.

It will be curious to see what the Senators do contract-wise. However, with Travis Hamonic’s contract expiring and having supplanted him in the rotation as the season progressed, it’s hard not to feel good about the right side of the defence now.

PINTO / GREIG / AMADIO LINE

Line juggling is constant in the NHL as coaches look to take advantage of the ebbs and flows of a game. Once this trio came together, Travis Green seldom messed with their juju.

This was often the Senators’ most consistent line down the stretch, and they got tough assignments at the toughest times in the matchup game. All three are signed for the next two to four years, and it’s one trio that is likely locked in for 2025–26.

ADAM GAUDETTE

This was a feel-good story, with Gaudette rediscovering himself in the minors after a 50-game stint with the Senators in 2021–22.

Though his hot start was unsustainable, he showed he can be effective in a bottom-six role and even log power-play time. He didn’t have an obvious roster spot when camp began, but he never gave Travis Green a reason to doubt him.

He needs an extension, and it will be interesting to see if Steve Staios doubles down on him.

For the first time in eight seasons, the Ottawa Senators will enter training camp in 2025 carrying the weight of real expectations — thanks to these positive developments during the 2024–25 season. After finally taking the next step, there’s every reason to believe they’ll be ready to meet the moment.