Ottawa Senators Summary

The Ottawa Senators have made significant moves this offseason, starting with the signing of center Eskild Bakke Olsen to a one-year entry-level contract. Bakke Olsen, 24, recently showcased his skills at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he contributed to Norway's historic bronze medal win, scoring two goals and three assists in 10 games.

He spent the previous season with Linkoping Hockey Club in the Swedish Hockey League, where he recorded 32 points in 51 games. Additionally, the Senators are exploring trade interest in defenseman Jordan Spence, who had a solid season, contributing 31 points in 75 games but is now set to become a restricted free agent.

General Manager Steve Staios has been gauging potential trades as the team aims to optimize its roster, with approximately $16.9 million in salary cap space available for improvements this summer. Meanwhile, former Senators defenseman Mike Reilly celebrated a Stanley Cup victory with the Carolina Hurricanes, serving as a reminder of the talent that has passed through Ottawa's organization.

Lastly, Tyler Kleven's performance was evaluated for the 2026 season, earning a B- grade as he showed improvement in his play, particularly benefiting from playing alongside Spence, which enhanced his possession metrics.