The Ottawa Senators have shown significant progress, but still have ground to cover to match the Florida Panthers, particularly after the Panthers' recent Stanley Cup championship. While the Senators made the playoffs in 2025, ending a seven-year drought, they lost in the first round to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, the Panthers are heading to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year.

Ottawa's general manager, Steve Staios, expressed optimism mid-season, citing a renewed commitment to two-way hockey and a developing team culture under coach Travis Green as key factors in the team's improvement. The Senators were ahead of where they were the previous season, with tangible growth. Staios emphasized a "process-driven approach" focused on incremental steps and building a strong foundation.

Offensively, the Senators have seen an increase in their goals-per-game average. Tim Stützle has been a major driver, showcasing skill in creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates. Brady Tkachuk has also remained a consistent goal scorer. However, the Senators have struggled with scoring droughts and need more consistent contributions from their second and third lines. In 2025, the Senators scored 242 goals, which ranked 19th in the league. In the previous year, they scored 255 goals. To become a true contender, the Senators need their core players, like Stutzle, to elevate their game to an elite level. Stutzle, for instance, decreased from 90 points in 2023-24 to 79 points in the 2024-25 season.

Defensively, the Senators have made considerable strides. Goaltenders like Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg have provided a more reliable presence in net. The acquisition of Ullmark from the Boston Bruins was a key move, and while he had an adjustment period, he ultimately proved to be a valuable asset. Jake Sanderson has also been a standout player on defense. The Senators allowed 232 goals in 2025, a significant improvement from the 281 goals allowed the previous year. This improvement translated to a plus-36 difference in their plus/minus as a team.

Despite the improvements, the Senators still face challenges. They have struggled to close out games against lower-ranked opponents and need to improve their consistency in securing points. Injuries to key players, including Ullmark, have also been a concern.

Looking ahead, the Senators need to improve their special teams to contend for the Stanley Cup. Their power play ranked 11th in the league, while their penalty kill was 19th. The Senators must also continue developing their prospect pipeline. The team is working to negotiate deals and retain key players like Claude Giroux and Anton Forsberg, while also focusing on the growth of core players such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson.

Ultimately, while the Ottawa Senators have made significant strides and are a team on the rise, they still have work to do to reach the level of the Florida Panthers. The Senators finished just one point behind the third-place Panthers in the Atlantic Division. The focus for the Senators should be on continuing to build a consistent, winning team, improving offensive consistency, and solidifying their defensive game.