The puck drops for a new season for the Ottawa Senators tonight.
The Senators host the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at Canadian Tire Centre to start the 2024-25 season. The Senators will play 41 games at home this season.
You can catch tonight’s game on TSN 5 and TSN 1200, with the puck drop at 7 p.m.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you need to know about the Senators this season.
What’s new at Canadian Tire Centre
The Senators have upgraded the fan experience at Canadian Tire Centre for the upcoming season.
More self-serve concessions have been set up on both the 100 and 200 level, and there is a new drink market near the main entrance. There is now a Wayne Gretzky Distillery Cocktail Lounge at section 109.
There’s a variety of new food options, including a Canadian Cubano sandwich, crispy Korean chicken bowl, shawarma nachos, steak and potatoes, sushi, salads and a sugar bush cheesecake.
Fans will also be able to purchase new souvenir cups and containers this season.
Ottawa Senators souvenir cups and popcorn buckets. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa)
Highway 417 access
Senators fans parking in Lot 1 will be able to access Highway 417 directly from the Canadian Tire Centre parking lot this season.
Sens president Cyril Leeder says drivers will be able to exit directly from Lot 1 to the highway following games.
“Cars are able now in Lot 1 to leave directly post game. That’s good for the folks in Lot 1, but it’s good for everybody else because it takes the Lot 1 folks off the internal road network,” Leeder told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal.
Fans have complained about long waits to exit the parking lots following the Senators games.
Four new faces to watch
The Ottawa Senators have several new faces on the opening night roster. Here is a look at four key new additions.
Linus Ullmark
The Senators acquired Ullmark to be their number one goaltender just before the NHL draft in June. Ullmark had a record of 22-10-7 with a 2.57 goals against average with the Boston Bruins last season. Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in 2022-23.
The Sens announced on Wednesday that Ullmark signed a four-year, $33 million contract extension.
Nick Jensen
Jensen arrives in Ottawa after a trade with the Washington Capitals in July. Jensen spent the past five and a half seasons in Washington.
The 33-year-old defenceman had 14 points with the Capitals last season.
David Perron
The 36-year-old Perron signed a two-year contract with the Senators in the off-season. Perron won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2018-19. He had 17 goals and 30 assists with the Detroit Red Wings last season.
Nick Cousins
Cousins brings Stanley Cup pedigree to the Ottawa Senators this season. Cousins signed a one-year contract with the Senators this summer after spending last season with the Florida Panthers. Cousins had 15 points in 69 games last season.
Ottawa Senators’ Nick Jensen (3) and Montreal Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher (11) try to control the puck in front of Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during first period NHL pre-season hockey action in Ottawa on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)
Five key players for the Senators this season
The Senators will need the entire team firing on all cylinders this season to make the playoffs, but some players will have bigger roles than others. Here is a look at five key players (besides Ullmark).
Brady Tkachuk
After watching his brother Matthew win the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in June, Sens captain Brady Tkachuk will have his sights set on the playoffs this season. Tkachuk led the club with 37 goals and 37 assists last season.
Tim Stutzle
Stutzle enters the season as the Senators number one centre, after posting 70 points last season. This is Stutzle’s fifth season in Ottawa and is a key part of the core.
Jake Sanderson
This is the first season of Sanderson’s eight-year, $64.4 million contract with the Senators, and expectations are high for the defenceman that will be part of the club’s core moving forward. Sanderson had 10 goals and 28 assists last season, and NHL.com names him as a breakout star for the Senators this season.
Josh Norris
All eyes will be on Josh Norris this season, particularly his shoulder. Norris enters the season coming off the third shoulder surgery of his career in March, after injuring his shoulder in February. Norris had 16 goals and 30 points in 50 games last season.
Shane Pinto
Shane Pinto will be in the lineup opening night after missing the first 41 games last season following a suspension. Pinto signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Senators in the off-season, and scored a hat trick in a pre-season game against Montreal. NHL.com names Pinto as a breakout candidate for the Senators this season.
Key games for the Senators
Here is a look at some of the key dates and facts for the Ottawa Senators this season:
- The Ottawa Senators longest road trip is Dec. 17 to Jan. 7 (nine games), while Ottawa hosts the World Junior Hockey Championship.
- The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers visit on Oct. 10
- Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers make their only visit to Ottawa on Nov. 19
- The Calgary Flames visit Ottawa for the only time this season on Nov. 25
- The first round of the Battle of Ontario is November 12 in Toronto. The Maple Leafs make their first visit to Ottawa on Jan. 25.
- The Montreal Canadians make their first visit to Canadian Tire Centre on Feb. 22. Montreal is also in Ottawa on April 11.
- The Winnipeg Jets visit Ottawa for their only time this season on Feb. 26.
- Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks are in Ottawa on April 15.
Senators promo nights
Here is a look at the Senators promotional schedule:
- Oct. 14 – Sensgiving
- Oct. 19 – Spartacat’s Birthday
- Nov. 2 – Oktoberfest
- Nov. 14 – Indigenous Culture Celebration
- Nov. 19 – Hockey Fights Cancer
- Nov. 23 – Thomas Chabot Bobblehead Giveaway
- Dec. 5 – Country Night
- Dec. 11 – First Responders Night
- Jan. 16 – Hockey Talks mental health awareness night
- Jan. 30 – Canadian Armed Forces Night
- Feb. 1 – Star Wars Game
- March 1 – Jake Sanderson Bobblehead Giveaway
- March 8 – Kids Takeover
- March 10 – Women in Sport
- March 29 – Apres Ski
- April 3 – Pride Night
- April 13, April 15 and April 17 – Fan Appreciation Week
Throwback Thursday’s games will be held on Oct. 17, Nov. 7, Nov. 21, Jan. 9, March 13 and March 20.
The Throwback Thursdays include throwback concession prices, throwback music and an “epic poster series giveaway,” according to the Sens.