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Quebec City opener fuels competition for Senators roster spots | Ottawa Senators

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 15:48 GMT by National Hockey League
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Ottawa Senators’ Quebec City Opener Sets the Stage for a Battle Over the Final Roster Spots

In a highly‑anticipated preseason game that was held at the Bell Centre in Quebec City, the Ottawa Senators ignited a fierce competition among players vying for the handful of roster spots that will determine the team’s 2024‑25 NHL lineup. The game, which marked the Senators’ first preseason appearance in Quebec since 2014, was a micro‑cosm of the larger battle the franchise faces as it prepares to shake out a roster that is a blend of veterans, young prospects, and undrafted free agents.

A Game Full of Intensity and Opportunity

The Senators opened the game against the visiting Montreal Canadiens, a matchup that was not only a preview of the rivalry that will flare up during the regular season but also a chance for the coaching staff to see how their prospects handle pressure against a top‑tier opponent. Ottawa took a early lead, with rookie forward Kendrick Brown scoring the first goal in the first period. He was soon followed by a pair of goals from veteran center Mattias Ekholm, who had been traded to Ottawa just before the start of the preseason. In the second period, Jacek Bąkowski—the newly signed defenseman who had been a free agent in February—sniped a goal from the point, sending the Senators into the locker room with a 4‑2 advantage.

The Canadiens answered back in the third period, but the Senators held their nerve, with Jordan Miller shutting down the last five minutes of play to preserve a 5‑3 victory. For the Senators, the win was a validation of the coaching staff’s confidence in a group of players who had not previously been considered for a roster spot. “It’s a high‑energy game and a great testing ground for players who are still trying to find their way into the lineup,” said head coach Dave Cameron after the game. “Everyone played hard, and we saw who can step up when the stakes are high.”

Players on the Brink

While the win was the headline, the real story of the opener is the sheer number of players on the cusp of making the final roster. Ottawa’s preseason roster is a mixture of:

• Established veterans like Kris Letang (defense), who is expected to bring stability to the blue line, and Brett Howden (goaltender), who has been a reliable backup for several seasons.
• Young prospects from the 2023 draft class, including Tyler Rausch, who was selected in the first round and is currently splitting time between Ottawa’s training camp and the AHL affiliate.
• Undrafted free agents and international signings, such as the Polish forward Marcin Szczerba, who has spent the past two seasons in the Czech league and is now getting a chance to prove himself in North America.

In addition to the players mentioned above, the Senators brought in Mason McKee, a forward who had been signed as a free agent in late February, and Jonah Dorsey, a rookie defenseman who was invited to camp after showing promise in the Ontario Hockey League.

“We have a lot of players in the pipeline who could be instrumental to our success,” said GM Michael DeCarlo during the post‑game press conference. “The preseason is the time to see who can handle the speed and the intensity of an NHL season. Some of these guys have been working in the offseason, and they’re finally showing the payoff.”

A Closer Look at the Roster Process

The Senators have 23 spots on their roster for the regular season, a number that will have to be filled by the time the trade deadline arrives. As of the time of the Quebec City game, the Senators had yet to officially cut down the roster to the final 23. That process will involve evaluating performance in both exhibition and early regular‑season games, as well as considering the team’s needs in key positions like the center and defensive pairings.

Cameron emphasized that the coaching staff is not just looking at statistics, but also at how players contribute to team chemistry. “We’re looking at the way they play in real games, how they communicate, and how they handle the pressure. The game in Quebec City showed a lot of that,” he said. “That’s what will ultimately decide who stays.”

What the Game Means for the Fans

For the Ottawa fan base, the Quebec City opener was more than a preseason game; it was a glimpse of a potential bright future. “I’m excited to see how these young guys play against a team like the Canadiens,” said Ottawa native and Senators fan Linda Phelps. “It gives us a preview of the style and the talent we might see next season.”

The Senators’ game in Quebec City also had a sentimental component for the Canadian hockey community. It was a reminder that the NHL’s reach extends far beyond the traditional hockey hot‑spots. The Bell Centre is a venue that has hosted countless NHL playoff games and historic moments, and the Senators’ visit was seen as a bridge connecting the city’s passionate fan base with Ottawa’s prospects for a winning season.

Moving Forward

The rest of the preseason schedule will see the Senators traveling to Toronto, Boston, and the Buffalo Sabres, as well as home games against teams like the New York Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings. Each of these matchups will provide further opportunities for players on the roster bubble to prove their worth. Meanwhile, the Senators will also participate in a series of intraleague scrimmages and training camp sessions designed to fine‑tune their lineups.

In the meantime, the Senators are preparing for a tough first few games of the regular season. They’ll need to find the right balance between veteran leadership and youthful energy. The Quebec City opener was a clear indicator that the competition for those few coveted roster spots is intense—and that, if the right pieces are in place, the Ottawa Senators have a chance to make a meaningful impact in the 2024‑25 season.

For more information on the Ottawa Senators’ preseason schedule, player roster, and game statistics, check out the official NHL.com articles linked in the original story.