The Ottawa Senators are hoping to take another step forward this season, but much of their potential hinges on the internal growth of the group they entered the summer with. While the club did make a few notable additions — acquiring defenseman Jordan Spence, veteran center Lars Eller, and winger Arthur Kaliyev — their moves in the Atlantic were more depth than splash.
Regardless, the Sens' success will also be influenced by what their divisional rivals got up to in the offseason. So we're reviewing things here so that when the season begins, you'll be able to say you know what they did last summer.
We begin today with the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, known to Sens fans as the annoying club that took the Sens out at their playoff knees last spring for the fifth time in five tries. The Sens looked like a team with no playoff experience out of the gate, falling behind 3-0. They battled back to force a Game 6, but a comeback wasn't in the cards. Things might be a lot different this season.
Battle of Ontario: Back to Four Meetings
After facing Toronto just three times last season, the Battle of Ontario cycles back to the standard four-game schedule in 2025-26, but there are no games planned until after Christmas. After the playoff result last spring, there's not likely to be much goodwill toward men.
Dec. 27, 7 p.m. – Scotiabank Arena
Feb. 28, 1 p.m. – Scotiabank Arena
Mar. 21, 7 p.m. – Canadian Tire Centre
Apr. 15, 7:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire Centre
Toronto’s Offseason: Big Changes, Big Questions
For Mitch Marner, the Maple Leafs weren't forever.
With their glorious chanting, Sens fans warned Toronto loudly all through the playoffs that "MARNER'S LEAVING." After months of speculation, Marner left for the Vegas Golden Knights in a trade for center Nicolas Roy. With Marner a pending UFA, Toronto did spectacularly well to get anything in return, let alone a solid player like Roy.
Unless another smallish former London Knight, Easton Cowan, is ready to step in and be great, way ahead of schedule, Marner's production hasn't been replaced.
Marner's exit and John Tavares's hometown discount did allow Toronto to lock up the emerging Matthew Knies for six years.
On the offseason trade front, Matias Maccelli was acquired from Utah in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick. Maccelli had 57 points in 2023-24, but the move to Utah last season didn't agree with him. He had just 18 points in 55 games for the Hockey Club now known as Mammoth.
Even if Maccelli and Roy have excellent seasons in 2025-26, their combined total won't come close to the loss of Marner's 102 points last season. Dakota Joshua adds a little more size to the bottom six, effectively replacing the production of Pontus Holmberg, who signed in Tampa. Michael Pezzetta replaces Ryan Reaves for the crash, bang, and part-time fighting needs. Max Pacioretty, who scored the Game 6 backbreaker against the Sens, is an unsigned UFA.
Toronto currently has 14 forwards on one-way deals and still hasn't resolved things with RFA Nick Robertson.
Former Sens goalie Matt Murray left Toronto this summer to sign with the Seattle Kraken, where he will never play unless there's an injury to former Senator Joey Daccord or Phillip Grubauer. Toronto will run it back with Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll again, which is great news for Leafs Superfan Paul Bissonnette on karaoke night.
Gone Baby Gone: Leafs Offseason Player Movement (New Team)
Mitch Marner (VGK)
Matt Murray (SEA)
Pontus Holmberg (TB)
Ryan Reaves (SJ)
Welcome to Toronto (2024-25 Team)
Nicholas Roy (VGK)
Matias Maccelli (UTA)
Michael Pezzetta (MTL)
Dakota Joshua (VAN)
Toronto, it's not the end of the world as we know it, but your offseason changes get a Great Big C.
Sometimes, when a big player leaves, it's addition by subtraction. In this case, based on what we've seen from Toronto's offseason so far, it just feels like subtraction. Meanwhile, the Sens still have core players on the rise and, save for Knies, the returning core in Toronto generally looks like a group that's already shown us its best.
After their first playoff meeting in 21 years, the Battle of Ontario reignited last season. Now it looks like the rivalry is in great position to hit another gear in 2025–26.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
This article orginally appeared at The Hockey News Ottawa, where you'll find all the latest Senators news:
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