Ottawa Senators News

After a succesful season with Linköping HC (SHL), Esklid Olsen has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. The 24-year-old undrafted forward represents Norway internationally and had two goals and five points in 10 games at the World Championships. In 51 games with Linköping HC last season, he had 11 goals, 32 points and 10 PIMs. He is expected to report to Belleville (AHL) for the beginning of the 2026-27 season.

Toronto proceeded to swap goaltenders on Tuesday with Philadelphia as the Maple Leafs acquired Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae and a 2026 3rd-round pick from Philadelphia for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit. Ersson represented Sweden at the Four Nations Tournament in 2024-25 but struggled mightily last season, posting a horrific 3.12 GAA and .870 SV% across 33 appearances while posting a 14-11-5 record. He is expected to compete for the starting role in Toronto for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Halliday was a fourth-round pick, 104th overall, of the Ottawa Senators in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old forward impressed at the AHL level this season, scoring 29 points (2G / 27A) in 29 games with Belleville. He also saw some success while making his NHL debut this season, scoring 11 points (4G / 7A) in 30 games.

Grieg has been suspended for two games after an illegal altercation with Sean Walker of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of Ottawa's first-round playoff series. The 23-year-old Grieg's suspension will carry over to the 2026-27 regular season.

With Jake Sanderson out for Game 4, Carter Yakemchuk will draw back into Ottawa's lineup for his playoff debut on Saturday. The 20-year-old defensemen will hopefully add a much-needed offensive boost to Ottawa's lineup after they scored only three goals in their first three playoff games. He appeared in only four total games prior to the playoffs, picking up a goal, two points and two PIMs.

Crotty made his playoff debut in Game 3 but will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 on Saturday as Dennis Gilbert draws back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Crotty only appeared for 8:59 TOI in Game 3, but was a -1 plus/minus.

Despite Ullmark playing outer-worldly through the first three games of Ottawa's opening series, the Senators find themselves down 3-0 and on the edge of elimination on Saturday for Game 4. Ullmark has been the Senators' best player, posting a .933 SV%, 2.02 GAA and 0-3-0 record. He will look to keep Ottawa's season alive at home Saturday, as they host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have outscored them 7-3 in the series.

Sanderson exited Ottawa's 2-1 Game Three loss on Thursday in the second period shortly after receiving a high hit from Carolina's Taylor Hall, potentially leading to his concussion. The 23-year-old defenseman has two assists through three games in the series. In a must-win Game Four, the Senators will need to rely more heavily on Thomas Chabot in Sanderson's absence.

Sanderson exited Ottawa's 2-1 Game Three loss on Thursday in the second period shortly after blocking a shot with his hand and an awkward collision, but it's unclear which event is related to his injury. The 23-year-old defenseman has two assists through three games in the series, and his status for Game Four on Saturday is uncertain.

Ullmark has never won a playoff series as the goalie of record, and the odds are against him with the Senators trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. That said, the 32-year-old Swedish goalie has been exceptional, saving 73 of 78 shots (.936 SV%) through two games (0-2-0). The Senators will need Ullmark at his best again on Thursday in Game Three, entering the action as -118 home favourites in an attempt to narrow their series deficit to 2-1.

Ullmark has never won a playoff series as the goalie of record, and the odds are against him with the Senators trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. That said, the 32-year-old Swedish goalie has been exceptional, saving 73 of 78 shots (.936 SV%) through two games (0-2-0). The Senators will need Ullmark at his best again on Thursday in Game Three, entering the action as -118 home favourites in an attempt to narrow their series deficit to 2-1.

Lassi Thomson will be a healthy scratch in Game Three, allowing Crotty to enter the lineup for his postseason debut. The 26-year-old Crotty was serviceable in six games for the Senators late in the season, averaging 14:55 time-on-ice and scoring one assist.

Kleven has been sidelined for over three weeks due to an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup and make his postseason debut in Game Three. The 24-year-old defenseman had a breakout season, becoming a reliable blueliners for the Senators, averaging 17:21 time-on-ice and scoring 18 points (3G / 15A) in 70 games.

Beckman was a fourth-round pick, 97th overall, by the Senators in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old goalie recently completed a sensational 15-game stint in the QMJHL, posting a 13-1-0 record along with a 1.52 GAA and .940 SV% with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Zub exited Game One on Saturday after only 7:44 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury, and is unavailable for Game Two on Monday. The 30-year-old Zub averaged 20:48 time-on-ice and scored 30 points (5G / 25A) in 81 games this season.