In 2025, the Ottawa Senators made the playoffs for the first time since 2017. After being eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in round one, the off-season arrived.
During the off-season, general manager Steve Staios was able to re-sign players from the 2025 playoff team. Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins each re-signed to a one-year contract. Defensemen Nikolas Matinpalo and Tyler Kleven each signed a two-year extension. Fabian Zetterlund signed a three-year extension.
However, the Senators didn't re-sign Dennis Gilbert, Cole Reinhardt, Anton Forsberg, Adam Gaudette, Matthew Highmore and Angus Crookshank. Even with leaving, most of them produced a top play during their Senators tenure.