Ottawa Senators News

The Senators have struggled early in the 2025-26 season, allowing a league-worst 33 goals through seven games (4.71 GA / GP). Poor defensive play has been the main contributor to the Senators' lackluster start, but Ullmark has failed to impress as well, posting an ugly 3.80 GAA and .854 SV% through six games (2-3-1). The Senators hope to rebound on Thursday, entering the contest as -156 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team off to a 3-2-1 start to the season.

Sogaard was recalled by Ottawa last week, sending Leevi Merilainen to Belleville (AHL) for some increased playing time. After two games in the AHL, Merilainen is returning to Ottawa, sending Sogaard back to Belleville.

Merilainen started the season in Ottawa, had a poor performance in his only outing, and was sent to Belleville (AHL), where he posted a 3.50 GAA and .897 SV% in two games (1-1-0). He returns to Ottawa, with Mads Sogaard being reassigned to the AHL in a corresponding move.

The Senators have struggled defensively and between the pipes this season, outscored 30-20 through six games (2-4-0). Ullmark will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, looking to return closer to his career averages, a 2.57 GAA and .916 SV%. The 32-year-old goalie is sporting a subpar 3.99 GAA and .848 SV% through five games in 2025-26 (2-3-0). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as +111 home underdogs against an Oilers team battling through adversity amid a three-game losing streak.

Kaliyev was recalled last week after and was immediately inserted into an opportunistic role, including some powerplay exposure, but will return to the Belleville Senators (AHL). The 24-year-old Kaliyev scored one point (0G / 1A) in two games with Ottawa.

Ullmark allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Senators' 4-3 shootout win over the Kraken on Thursday. The win snapped a two-game losing stream for Ullmark, who is now 2-2-0 with a 3.72 GAA and .862 SV% through four games. Ullmark should make for a good start, as -140 home favourites vs. the Islanders.

Lycksell was held off the scoresheet in two games with Ottawa this season but will report to the Belleville Senators of the AHL. The 26-year-old forward has been limited to 11 points (1G / 10A) in 47 career NHL games but has been electric at the AHL level, scoring 128 points (52G / 76A) in 134 games.

Lycksell will be the odd-man out when the Senators host the Kraken on Thursday. Arthur Kaliyev will dress in his place.

Kaliyev will make his Senators debut on Thursday when they host the Kraken. The 23-year-old winger appeared in 14 games for the Rangers last season, tallying three goals and one assist.

Tkachuk exited Monday's game against the Nashville Predators after only 13:53 time-on-ice. The Senators announced on Thursday that Tkachuk underwent successful surgery on his right thumb and will be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, a devastating blow for the team's offense. The 26-year-old Tkachuk scored points (0G / 3A) through three games this season prior to his injury.

Ullmark has not impressed early in the 2025-26 season, which gave backup Leevi Merilainen an opportunity to showcase his talent on Wednesday, but he fell short, allowing seven goals on 26 shots (.731 SV%) in an 8-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old Ullmark will return to the crease on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. Ullmark has a 4.07 GAA and .842 SV% through three games this season (1-2-0). The Senators enter the action on Thursday as -141 home favorites against the Kraken.

Kaliyev signed with Ottawa in the offseason and started the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in two games with the Belleville Sentors. The 24-year-old is no stranger to the NHL, with 202 games of experience, mostly with the Los Angeles Kings, scoring 75 career points (38G / 37A).

Linus Ullmark has started Ottawa's first three games this season (1-2-0), but he will get the night off on Wednesday when Merilainen tends the twine for the first time this season. The 23-year-old Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1). Entering the 2025-26 season as the Senators' undisputed backup, the Finnish netminder should have no problem passing his career-high 11 starts from a season ago. The Senators enter Wednesday's action as -117 road favorites against a frustrated 0-3-0 Buffalo Sabres team that has been outscored 10-2.

Tkachuk exited Monday's game against the Nashville Predators after only 13:53 time-on-ice. Ottawa's head coach, Travis Green, said the team and doctors are trying to determine if Tkachuk will need surgery to address the injury. The 26-year-old Tkachuk scored points (0G / 3A) through three games this season.

Batherson has been sidelined for Ottawa's first three games this season, recovering from an upper-body injury, but will draw into the lineup for his season debut on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old right-winger is entering his eighth season in Ottawa after putting up career highs in points (67) last season across 82 games played.

Tkachuk exited Monday's game against the Nashville Predators after only 13:53 time-on-ice. The 26-year-old has three points (0G / 3A) through three games this season. Ottawa's head coach, Travis Green, did not provide an update but confirmed that he was not held out for precautionary reasons, as he indeed was not able to play.

MacDermid appeared in Ottawa's first two games this season, averaging 4:30 time-on-ice and recording a five-minute major for fighting. The 31-year-old was limited to only 23 games last season, with the New Jersey Devils and returns to a familiar spot as a healthy scratch on Monday against the Nashville Predators, allowing Olle Lycksell to draw into the lineup.