NHL Rumours and we know the Ottawa Senators will look different in 2026-27 than they did to wrap up their 2025-26 season, but do they realistically have any chance at being better without their captain from the last couple years? Let’s take a look at the roster moves, including the recently announced qualifying offers that were made, and how it impacts the Sens lineup.
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NHL Rumours and the Qualifying Offers are in for the Ottawa Senators
Rumour: We take a look at Ottawa Citizen rep Bruce Garrioch’s take on the restricted free agents that were and weren’t given qualifying offers, and what it means for the roster with all the movement recently.
Analysis: None are too surprising, although perhaps a slight surprise in net, but let’s get into it. Time to get sensational.
Ottawa Senators cut ties with winger Arthur Kaliyev, Belleville's top scorer
Ottawa Citizen https://t.co/57W4oMy2zO via @ottawacitizen— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) June 29, 2026
Losing Brady Tkachuk was always going to be a hugh shock to the system. But when you talk about wins above replacement, the Sens have been diligent in reworking their roster.
Offensively, it is about getting the most out of your players. Tkachuk was not a very efficient producer, despite his innate ability to generate offence, the finishing wasn’t there.
There have been rumblings that veteran winger and faceoff aficionado Claude Giroux will be testing free agency. With us on the eve of July 1st, and him still not signed, it appears as though this will be the case.
When you talk about injecting Andre Burakovsky, and more importantly William Eklund to this lineup, you should be able to count on the Sens capitalizing on their offensive opportunities at a higher rate. You just might have to sacrifice quantity, over quality. If Eklund, who was drafted a year later than Stutzle, can find chemistry together, it could lead to be things for both of them.
To quickly touch on the qualifying offers at forward, Tyler Boucher did get one, while Arthur Kaliyev did not. Boucher is still a product of being a relatively high, first-round pick, and the Sens organization is trying to be as patient as possible with him. Meanwhile for Kaliyev, he did rip it up with the AHL’s Belleville Senators this past year. However, some off ice dilemmas, combined with a lack of foot speed, seem to have the writing on the wall for the rare Uzbekistan native.
How’s Things on Defence
Not much for NHL Rumours on the defence as it is pretty well status quo after recently announcing that Jordan Spence has been re-signed. The hope is a year later, and not a year older, but a year better. Tyler Kleven and Spence would both look to take a step in 2026-27, as we seen signs of it from both of them in 2025-26.
The veterans like Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub, we can expect more of the same from them. And when we get to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Chabot should have two working arms this go around.
Furthermore, Jake Sanderson is at such a level already. It will be difficult for him to make any substantial gains, but we see him more of a calming influence now as the chemistry continues to grow among the group.
As for Carter Yakemchuk, he recently suggested that his goal is to make the big team out of camp. He has the size and has been close the past couple seasons already. It might be time to stretch his wings at the NHL level, trial by fire. If it is a disaster, you could always send him back then. But the way the Sens play a structured defence, we don’t necessarily think that is even possible.
Finally, We Have Arrived in Net in NHL Rumours
As for goaltending, well you have to consider the fact they got a bit of bonus time out of James Reimer. Reimer basically came out of retirement to bring some calm to the crease and be a great mentor for starter Linus Ullmark. We don’t think he will be back, unfortunately, but crazier things have happened.
Then we look at the newly acquired Samuel Ersson. Now as a now he was not given his qualifying offer, but Leevi Merilainen was given one. But fear not, as it is expected GM Staios tries to ink Ersson to a deal.
Is Ersson an upgrade over a 38 year old Reimer?
Likely not, but that’s what we have to deal with. He is just an extra security blanket to have there to run with Merilainen. The thinking is there will be some natural chemistry with Ersson and Ullmark, both being Swedish tendies. But we will have to wait for puck drop in October to truly find out.
General manager Steve Staios was shown that he really wants to prepare this group for future. The challenge has been to remain competitive enough against the fellow Atlantic Division foes. Which when you trade your captain to one of those teams, is never going to be easy. As free agency opens tomorrow, the Sens probably want to add a middle-six forward. Will they try for a bigger fish like Mason Marchment, or is a veteran supporting cast guy, like a Vladimir Tarasenko more suitable? Buckle up, the answers will be here before we know it.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
#Sens did not qualify G Samuel Ersson (still in talks to sign), Arthur Kaliyev, and Riley Kidney per @SunGarrioch.
RFAs Leevi Merilainen, Tyler Boucher, and Xavier Bourgault received a qualifying offer. #GoSensGo @PuckPedia
⬇️ UFA no-QO list:https://t.co/KovTWw3JKM
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 29, 2026
