To varying degrees, every NHL team will head to training camp this month with a different roster than they had last season. But for non-playoff teams like the Ottawa Senators, with a new GM calling the shots, we knew all summer there would be more than a just few changes.
To make way for the new, the club has sent eight of last season’s full-timers packing.
Here are the eight players (minimum 50 games last season) who were voted off Senator Island in the past six months and where they’re playing now.
Vladimir Tarasenko (57 games)
Mar 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) in the tunnel before warmups against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Tarasenko is the only player on this list who wasn’t shipped out this summer. His story goes back to the trade deadline last March. With a no-movement clause and UFA looming, Tarasenko had the Sens over a barrel when he would only agree to be dealt to the Florida Panthers. This allowed him to be closer to family, and as it turned out, win another Stanley Cup. Tarasenko signed with the Detroit Red Wings this summer.
Jakob Chychrun (82 games)
Mar 12, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Chychrun was entering the final year of his contract and by his own admission, didn’t have his best season. GM Steve Staios felt he already had enough offensive left-shot defencemen, so he traded Chychrun to the Washington Capitals for his complete opposite – a stay at home right-shot defenceman in Nick Jensen.
Mathieu Joseph (72 games)
Oct 11, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Joseph was a fast, solid, third line player here but with the cap becoming an issue, the Sens enticed the St. Louis Blues to take his contract by sending them a third rounder. Along with his sibling, Pierre-Olivier, the Josephs become the latest rendition of The Blues Brothers.
Erik Brannstrom (76 games)
Nov 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom (26) passes the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Brannstrom was supposed to make us forget Mark Stone. After 266 games of, uh, not doing that, Brannstrom was allowed to walk into free agency this summer. He signed with the Colorado Avalanche for less than half what he made last season.
Parker Kelly (80 games)
Dec 27, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Parker Kelly (27) skates during the warmup before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Kelly was always a gamer who was hard not to like. But he, too, was allowed to walk into free agency and was also picked up by the Avalanche.
Dominik Kubalik (74 games)
Mar 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Dominik Kubalik (81) in the tunnel before warmups against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a little hard to believe Kubalik actually got to play 74 games. Production-wise, as the Senators learned last season, if Kubalik isn’t in the top six or on the power play, there’s not much happening there. KubalÃk signed a deal with the Swiss club, HC Ambri-Piotta, last week. The deal includes an NHL opt-out clause.
Mark Kastelic (63 games)
Apr 6, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Ottawa Senators center Mark Kastelic (47) skates toward the penalty box after fighting Florida Panthers right wing Givani Smith (not pictured) during the third period at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Kastelic’s size and physical presence made him useful on the fourth line but the Sens would like to see their fourth liners hovering closer to 20 points, not 10. He was part of the June deal to bring Linus Ullmark to the Senators, who do have some solid options to replace Kastelic this season.
Joonas Korpisalo (55 games)
Apr 4, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; A shot from behind gets past Ottawa Senators goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) in the second period against the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Korpisalo was also shipped out in the Ullmark trade. The Senators will pay him $1 million a year for the next four years to be the Boston Bruins backup goalie.
This time last year, all eight of these players showed up at Sens camp ready for full-time duty and now all of them are gone. That’s a lot of man games to yank out of the lineup. But after seven straight playoff absences – quite literally – you have to make room for improvement.
Alas, we hardly knew ye.
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