The Ottawa Senators have unveiled their 2025-26 regular season schedule, bringing with it a wave of familiar faces returning to the Canadian Tire Centre. Fans can anticipate a blend of nostalgia and competitive spirit as several former team members come back wearing different jerseys.
Among the returning players is Josh Norris, who arrives in Ottawa dressed in white, blue, and gold, switching from number 13 to No. 13. Here’s a quick look at notable dates and players set to reappear in Ottawa:
– Thursday, October 16 vs. Seattle Kraken: Joey Daccord, originally drafted by Ottawa in 2015, spent part of two seasons with the team before moving to Seattle via the Expansion Draft. He is now back after signing a five-year, $25 million contract.
– Saturday, October 18 vs. New York Islanders: JG Pago returns, celebrated for his playoff performances, alongside Anthony Duclair and possibly Matthew Highmore. Pago is in the final year of his contract.
– Monday, October 27 vs. Boston Bruins: Mark Castelic, a strong centerman drafted in 2019, faces his former team for the first time since being traded. Goalkeeper Junas Kolpizaro also returns, signing a $1 million annual deal for three years.
– Tuesday, November 11 vs. Dallas Stars: Matt Duchene faces a team involved in key trades that brought him to Ottawa, despite a brief and disrupted stint with the Senators.
– Thursday, December 4 vs. New York Rangers: Mika Zibanejad, once drafted by Ottawa and traded to New York, returns as a top NHL center.
– Saturday, December 6 vs. St. Louis Blues: Matthew Joseph, who spent three seasons with Ottawa, returns after being traded in the 2024 offseason.
– Tuesday, December 9 vs. New Jersey Devils: Conor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Stephen Nosen, and Angus Crookshank potentially return, each with previous ties to Ottawa.
– Thursday, December 18 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Eric Carlson, a two-time Norris Trophy winner and nine-season Ottawa captain, comes back to town.
– Saturday, December 20 vs. Chicago Blackhawks: Nick Foligno, a five-season Ottawa veteran, continues to play at 37 and returns for a visit.
– Tuesday, December 23 vs. Buffalo Sabres: Josh Norris, who was traded last season, returns to face his former team.
– Monday, December 29 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Eric Gudbranson, an Ottawa native, played part of the 2020-21 season with the Senators and now plays for Columbus.
– Thursday, January 1 vs. Washington Capitals: Jakov Chiklung returns after an impressive debut season in Washington.
– Saturday, January 3 vs. Winnipeg Jets: Vladislav Namestnikov and Dylan Demelo, both of whom played in Ottawa, return.
– Monday, January 5 vs. Detroit Red Wings: Alex DeBrincat, Austin Watson, Cam Talbot, and Jacob Bernard-Docker, all former Senators, face their old team.
– Saturday, January 24 vs. Carolina Hurricanes: Mike Riley, a solid defenseman from 2019-21, returns after heart surgery.
– Saturday, January 25 vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Mark Stone, who spends summers in Ottawa, performs against the Senators for the first time since 2022.
– Wednesday, January 28 vs. Colorado Avalanche: Parker Kelly, known for his work ethic, comes back to Ottawa.
– Sunday, March 15 vs. San Jose Sharks: Adam Gaudette and Zach Ostapchuk visit, with Gaudette known for impressive goal scoring with Ottawa.
– Saturday, April 4 vs. Minnesota Wild: Philip Gustafsson and Vladimir Tarasenko return. Gustafsson competes with young talent Jesper Wallstedt, while Tarasenko came back to the Wild after a stint in Detroit.
– Tuesday, April 7 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Nick Paul and Boris Katchouk, both with Ottawa ties, come back for the final notable reunion games.
This season promises memorable reunions full of emotion, nostalgia, and competitive fire, especially with the recent departures like Norris still fresh in fans’ minds.
Fan Take: These return games offer fans a chance to relish past memories while witnessing the ongoing growth and evolution of their hometown team. This blend of nostalgia and rivalry adds a compelling narrative to the season that hockey lovers won’t want to miss, highlighting the sport’s deep connections and the personal stories behind the players.
