OTTAWA — For the Senators, the expectations are clear: playoffs. Bare minimum.

There is unbridled optimism exuding from the Ottawa Senators fan base heading into the 2025-26 season, and for good reason: the team is finally good. But will it be great?

The questions about whether this squad can be a playoff team are gone — and they should be, thanks to a young core of players who are lofting into their primes. There are very few holes on the roster, thanks to acquisitions of Jordan Spence and Lars Eller in the summer. Ottawa is deep at all positions, except potentially in net. The health of Linus Ullmark has been uncertain but Leevi Merilainen’s season-saving stretch last January gives hope for excellence between the pipes.

Ottawa’s centre depth is one of the best in the league, with Tim

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