Some things improve with age – like fine wine, artisanal cheese, or leather-bound books that smell of rich mahogany.
Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios is betting that the same holds true for his club.
On the one hand, the aging and maturing of his team's youthful core and the experience from their playoff debut will be vital to improvement. But even more literally than that, since the start of last summer, Staios hopes his roster improves with the age and experience that he's pumped into it.
“That’s the plan,” he told NHL.com in December, “to surround them with some veteran guys that have been there and done that before and are going to continue to be a good influence and also good players on the ice obviously. I talked to this group about internal growth and with Travis’ help as coach, holding the players accountable and coaching them properly, there has been a great deal of internal growth.”
Not so long ago, in 2012, Staios himself was the older guy in the New York Islanders locker room. At 38, he was older than any current Sens player, and he mentored younger Isles teammates like Travis Hamonic. But he's not seeking age for its own sake: Hamonic, now an older veteran and an unrestricted free agent, was not re‑signed when his deal expired 11 days ago, a sign that Staios wants more from his veterans than just gray hair and wisdom in the room.
Four of his vets will be older than 35 this fall. Here’s a look at the veterans Staios has brought on, how they got here, and what we expect from them this season.
Players, (Age on opening night this fall):
Claude Giroux, 37
2024‑25 Stats: 81 GP, 15 G, 35 A, 50 Pts, –8, 138 SOG
Giroux signed on to come home three years ago, and after a long negotiation this summer, gave the Senators one of the great hometown discounts in club history. Giroux decided to forego free agency and sign a one-year deal worth $2 million plus bonuses.
Why He Can Shine Next Season: At 37, Giroux isn't the fastest player, never was, but he still delivers top-tier vision, faceoff dominance (61.5%), and steady scoring. He overhears the discussion about his age and the drop in his speed and stats. Between that and the Sens' below-market offer, he'll have something to prove. With a 72-point career average, he'll be highly motivated to bounce back this season. But it will depend on opportunity, linemates and what Travis Green has up his sleeve. If he's not in the top six, count on 40 points. If he is, and gets reasonable looks on the power play, 60 is a reasonable projection.
David Perron, 37
2024‑25 Stats: 43 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 16 Pts, –7, 71 SOG
Perron signed as a free agent last summer, agreeing to a two-year deal worth $4 million a season.
Why He Can Shine Next Season: Perron remains a smart, competitive, creative player who's not afraid to pay the price of abuse to get to the net or win pucks along the boards. The Sens need more of that, not less. His friendly veteran presence complements the younger forwards beautifully. Like Giroux, he's not the fastest guy, but he also enters a new season feeling inspired. Perron missed half of last season through injury and family issues, and he'd like to show Ottawa that he's well worth the money. Also like Giroux, projecting what Perron will do next season will depend on his usage. The way that Green mixes up his lines, we're betting he runs a time share in the top six. But in a full season, a bounce back to north of 40 points isn't an unreasonable prediction.
Lars Eller, 36
2024‑25 Stats: 80 GP, 10 G, 12A, 22 Pts, -1, 104 SOG
Eller signed on day one of free agency this month, getting a one-year deal worth $1.25 million. He's the new kid in town, but he's old.
Why He Can Shine Next Season: Eller offers two-way stability, strong faceoffs, and versatility. He's likely to be a fourth liner next season, but can move up the lineup if needed, just the way his predecessor, Adam Gaudette, did last season. But Eller is bigger and a better skater than Gaudette. Eller spend most of last season in Washington, where he got just over 12 minutes of ice time per night and put up 15 points in 63 games. That's about the pace and ice time he can expect now in Ottawa, so 22 points and more of the same is a fair outlook.
Nick Jensen, 35
2024-25 Stats: 71 GP, 3 G, 18 A, 21 Pts, +18, 77 SOG
Jensen was acquired last summer, along with a third-round pick, for pending UFA Jakob Chychrun.
Why He Can Shine Next Season: There are reasons why Jensen might not shine next season, and they're strictly medical. Jensen underwent hip surgery after the season, so his 2025-26 outlook entirely depends on a return to full health and his usual speed and mobility. But if he gets to that place, he may be able to build on a quality first year as a Senator. He played through the last 30 games and the playoffs while dealing with pain, and that will take any player down a few notches. With fingers crossed, we think Jensen will get back go his usual 20 minutes, become an even better insulator for the roving Thomas Chabot, and scoring at the same pace as last season (21 points in 71 games) whenever it is he gets back.
So there's the Senators' grey-bearded Mount Rushmore of older dudes, the distinguished gentlemen of the game, brought in to complement the children of the rebuild. The four vets also have the added motivation of playing for their next contracts. All four will be UFAs again next summer.
Age before beauty? In this case, it could be both, because Staios is banking on these vets to be beauties this fall, steady in the room, and shining when it matters most.
By Steve Warne
Sens Nation Hockey
Image credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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