The air in Ottawa is thick with a different kind of anticipation. After a cathartic return to the NHL playoffs, the Senators are no longer simply content with participation. The focus has sharpened, the expectations have scaled, and the mantra echoing through the locker room is a resolute shift from merely `good` to unequivocally `great`.
The End of a Seven-Year Sojourn
For seven long years, the Stanley Cup playoffs were a distant dream for the Ottawa Senators. The drought, a period that tested the patience of the most loyal fans, finally concluded last season (2024-25) with a hard-fought berth. It was a moment of collective exhale, a celebration of progress, and a testament to the developing core of talent. The experience gained in those playoff games, however brief, is now considered invaluable — a foundational step, not the final destination.
“We’re here not just to make the playoffs either. We’re here to do a lot more than that.”
This statement from Head Coach Travis Green during training camp isn`t just a hopeful utterance; it`s a declaration of intent. General Manager Steve Staios, while maintaining a judicious reserve regarding specific targets, reinforced the sentiment, underscoring that the team comprehends the escalating difficulty of their journey. As Green succinctly put it, “It gets harder. Everyone says they want to win a Stanley Cup. It`s hard to do. It`s not easy.” This isn`t a team basking in the afterglow of past success; it`s a team staring down the formidable path to legitimate contention.
The Elusive Definition of “Greatness”
What defines “great” for the Ottawa Senators? Historically, the franchise has glimpsed this pinnacle on a few memorable occasions: the dominant 2003 run, the Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2007, and the unexpected deep dive into the Eastern Conference Final in 2017. These were seasons where “good” was merely a stepping stone, where the team transcended expectations to become genuine contenders. The current aspiration is to return to that rarified air, to etch new chapters of excellence rather than merely footnotes of improvement.
This quest for greatness is not without its inherent ironies. In professional sports, the line between “good” and “great” can be razor-thin, often dictated by bounces of a puck, the health of a key player, or a sudden surge of chemistry. A single playoff win can feel monumental, yet the ultimate prize demands sustained, relentless brilliance. The Senators, having tasted the first sip of success, now understand that the subsequent courses are far more demanding.
Building Blocks for a Monumental Challenge
The journey from a playoff team to a Cup contender is multifaceted. It demands more than just raw talent; it requires mental fortitude, strategic depth, and a relentless commitment to improvement. The addition of players like defenseman Jordan Spence, lauded for his two-way ability and puck movement, speaks to the targeted adjustments being made to bolster the roster. It`s about finding those crucial pieces that elevate a good system into a truly formidable one.
The team’s core, now with the collective experience of a playoff series under their belts, will be expected to lead the charge. They`ve experienced the speed, the pressure, and the intensity that separates the regular season grind from the postseason crucible. This acquired knowledge, as Staios highlighted, is an asset they intend to leverage as they embark on a season where `good` simply won`t suffice.
The Road Ahead: Harder, But Potentially More Rewarding
The 2025-26 NHL season represents a pivotal moment for the Ottawa Senators. The expectation bar has been raised, not by external pundits, but by the team itself. It’s a bold declaration in a league where parity reigns supreme and every team harbours similar dreams. The path will undoubtedly be fraught with challenges, intense competition, and moments that test their resolve.
However, the pursuit of greatness, with its arduous demands and potential for disappointment, is also where true legends are forged. The Senators are no longer satisfied with simply ending droughts; they are now aiming for the ultimate deluge of victory. The hard work, as the saying goes, truly begins now.
