Ottawa Senators open their 2026-27 season on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the roster that takes the ice at Scotiabank Arena will look a little different than the one that finished training camp. Here are five storylines worth watching before puck drop.
Is Sanderson good to go?
The biggest question facing the Senators is whether defenceman Jake Sanderson will be in the lineup. Sanderson has been managing an injury he picked up in a preseason game against Montreal, and the issue cost him practice time during the week. Coach Travis Green and Sanderson himself have stopped short of guaranteeing he'll play Saturday, but both have acknowledged all signs point that way.
A roster move signals good news
There's a strong clue that Sanderson is trending toward playing: the Senators loaned prospect defenceman Hoyt Stanley to AHL affiliate Belleville on Friday.
Foegele back after off-season surgery
Winger Warren Foegele will be in the lineup for the opener after missing all of training camp while recovering from off-season surgery. His return adds another body up front as Ottawa opens its season against its provincial rival.
Zub out, Yakemchuk gets his shot
Defenceman Artem Zub will not play Saturday. He's still working back from a knee injury, though he did practise this week in a non-contact jersey. With Zub unavailable, 20-year-old defence prospect Carter Yakemchuk is expected to get an extended look in the lineup against Toronto, a chance to make an early impression in meaningful minutes.
Ullmark starts after a tough first half
In net, Linus Ullmark is set to open the season as Ottawa's starter. Last season was a difficult one for Ullmark, who struggled through the first half before taking a leave of absence to deal with a mental health issue. He returned to post a 14-4-3 record down the stretch, and the Senators will be counting on that version of him again as the new campaign begins.
What led here
The lineup questions around the blue line follow a busy few weeks in Ottawa. Thomas Chabot was named the 11th captain in Senators history just days before the opener, taking over from Brady Tkachuk, and both Chabot and Sanderson made their preseason debuts together last Saturday after Chabot had missed the team's first two exhibition games.
Where the schedule goes next
Saturday's game marks the ninth time in franchise history the Senators have opened their season against the Maple Leafs. After the Toronto game, Ottawa hits the road for further games in Boston and Detroit before returning home for its first game at Canadian Tire Centre on October 8 against Philadelphia.
Sources: TSN, NHL.com (Senators)
