NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the Ottawa Senators.

The Ottawa Senators qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in eight years last season and have carried that momentum throughout the offseason.

Indeed, there are plenty of signs for optimism.

The Senators (45-30-7) were the first wild card from the Eastern Conference, ending a postseason drought dating to 2017 when they lost Game 7 of the conference final against the Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime. Ottawa lost its best-of-7 first-round series to the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games last season, but it gave young players like captain Brady Tkachuk (25), forward Tim Stutzle (23) and ascending franchise defenseman Jake

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