Both Jensen & Perron will likely both be gone after next season which frees up $8 mil. While they won't have a 1st rd pick they will have the money to maybe acquire a good young UFA going into his prime who could be available. At that point this team should be in a position to contend & that's usually when contending teams give up 1st rd picks to go for it. Not sure the Sens will be that good, but as the core matures, I expect they should be better next season.
They are ranked in the late teens now in this yr's draft & I expect they will use it. By this time next yr, I expect they should be ranked somewhere in the twenties. Might still get a good pick, but the Buff 2nd they got as you indicated could be ranked higher & closer to the beginning of the second rd. They might be able to make a deal with that pick to get into the first rd or get a guy who turns out better than some guys ranked ahead of him. Lots of things can happen at drafts & with prospects after drafts, it happens every yr. I'm optimistic they will get a good player at this yr's draft & do something either at the 2026 draft or sign a good player in free agency that summer.